You’ll never forget your first platypus encounter - and now you can help make it count for science.
It’s a magical moment when this strange and adorable creature emerges from ripples in the water.
If you live near a creek or river, find a quiet place on the bank, try to spot a platypus and record what you see.
This spring from September into October, take part in the platy-project and you’ll help researchers understand more about this elusive animal, and how we can better protect it.
About the platy-project
For the fourth year running, ACF and UNSW are inviting people across eastern Australia to take part in the Platy-project – a citizen science initiative to better understand and protect one of our most unique animals.
Platypus are shy, egg-laying mammals that spend much of their lives hidden beneath the water. Because they’re so elusive, scientists still don’t have a clear picture of where they live. That’s where you come in.
Your observations – whether you see a platypus or not – help fill these data gaps. Together, we’re building the most comprehensive picture yet of platypus populations, which will inform conservation and habitat protection for years to come.
Why the platy-project is so important
Platypus aren’t just iconic – they’re also a sign of healthy waterways. When they’re present, it often means the ecosystem around them is thriving.
But platypus are facing real threats. Their homes are shrinking due to:
- Land clearing and habitat destruction
- Erosion and chemical run-off from surrounding landscapes
- Dams and water diversions that change natural flows
- Climate extremes that dry up rivers or flood their burrows
This makes your sightings more important than ever. By recording where platypus are still found – and where they’re no longer seen – you’re helping researchers understand changes over time, and giving decision-makers the evidence they need to act.
Image credit: Pete Walsh
Mapping the platypus
Every sighting you log helps us build a clearer picture of where platypus live — and where they may have disappeared.
The interactive Platy-project map brings together thousands of records from past projects and this year’s surveys. Each dot on the map represents a person who spent time by a waterway and recorded what they saw.
Your observations — whether you spot a platypus or not — are just as important as one another. “No sightings” help researchers understand where platypus are missing, while positive records highlight the strongholds we need to protect.
Together, these records help scientists identify population trends, track changes in habitats, and strengthen the case for better protections for rivers, wetlands, and wildlife.
How to take part in the platy-project
It’s simple to join the Platy-project – you don’t need to be a scientist, just someone who enjoys time by the water.
Here’s how it works:
- Choose your spot
Pick a local creek, river, dam or waterhole. Use the platy-project map to see past sightings and identify unexplored areas. - Pick your time
Dawn and dusk are usually the best times to spot a platypus, but in early spring you might also see them during the day. - Spend an hour in nature
Sit quietly by the water and keep your eyes peeled for movement. Platypus often dive and resurface every minute or so. - Record what you see
Whether you spot a platypus or not, log your observation in the platy-project map. “No sightings” are just as useful as positive ones. - Share your experience
If you manage to capture a photo or video, we’d love to see it. Reply to any Platy-project email or send it directly to platypus@acf.org.au. With your permission, we’ll credit you when sharing on social media or other materials.
Could there be a platypus living on your property?
Farmers play a crucial role in the protection of one of our most iconic species. Platypus are sensitive to chemical run-off, erosion, and modification of riverbanks – all things that platypus-loving farmers can help with.
That’s why this year we’re working directly with farmers in the Northern Tablelands and north-west slopes of New South Wales. Your local knowledge of creeks, rivers and dams is invaluable in understanding where platypus are present – and where they may have disappeared.
Recording sightings from farms doesn’t just help platypus. It also gives us a better understanding of waterway health, so we can protect rivers and wetlands for people, wildlife and farming communities.
Take part in the NSW north-west slopes and Northern Tablelands edition of the platy-project, intended for farmers and land-owners.
Get a great photo or video, or have questions about the platy-project?
Some of the best stories come from people like you – families, bushwalkers, farmers, and students who’ve taken part in the platy-project and been rewarded with a glimpse of this extraordinary animal.
If you’ve been lucky enough to see a platypus, we’d love to hear about it. Send your photos or videos to platypus@acf.org.au and we’ll credit you and share your story to inspire others.
Even if you didn’t see one, your record matters. Logging “no sightings” helps build the full picture.
Or, if you've got questions about the platy-project, contact us using the link below.