Daniel Harris-Pascal says early data suggests it is looking like a good year for the “unique and iconic” platypuses of southern NSW and the ACT. Photo: Richard Taylor / Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch.
Seeing a platypus is becoming increasingly common as cleaner waterways improve conditions for our aquatic neighbours.
That’s the message from Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch citizen science facilitator Daniel Harris-Pascal as the organisation prepares for their annual surveys.
He says platypuses can be underappreciated residents of the Territory.
“Not many people were aware that we even had platypus living in and around Canberra,” he tells Region.
“They think, ‘Oh, that’s a creature that must live up in Tidbinbilla, or a suitably pristine environment.”
But it’s a different story in reality.
In the first six months of the year, more than two dozen animals have been reported to Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch’s Platy and Rakali Portal.
“We’ve had 30 signings so far [between both species], which is more than we would usually get at this time of the year,” says Daniel.
About half of the sightings are of platypus.
Sightings are spread out across Canberra, with clusters in Belconnen, on the south side of Lake Burley Griffin and in nearby suburbs of Pialligo, Kingston and Fyshwick.
Daniel says steps to clean up our waterways (such as people collecting their dog poo and other litter before it can enter the water) and “water-sensitive” design are having an impact.
Their numbers have been fairly consistent over the past few years, with 75 platypus sightings reported in 2025 and 88 the year before.
And for those keen to see a platypus for themselves, August will come with plenty of opportunities.
Platypus Month 2026 will formally launch at Jerrabomberra Wetlands on 25 July, with a family-friendly event between 9 am and 1 pm.
Waterwatch runs the initiative every August, with the events part of a push to get Canberrans out and about in the bush capital.
Since the initiative launched in 2013, it’s brought volunteers outdoors at dawn and dusk to survey sites in the ACT and nearby region.
Daniel says their events are growing increasingly popular each year.
“That’s building more and more awareness of where we’ve got platypus in our region,” he says of Waterwatch’s efforts.
They have walks or surveys at Queanbeyan River, Point Hut Crossing, Molonglo River and Jerrabomberra Wetlands in the ACT, as well as Mittagang Crossing and Cooma Creek across the border in NSW.
Volunteers carry out two night and two morning surveys.
Keen citizen scientists can also get involved in walks, a film screening and a party.
Daniel describes Platypus Month as an opportunity to check on how platypus and rakali populations are faring – and if they need extra help.
“They seem to be quite stable in the region, which is good,” he says of their population in Canberra.
“Particularly as the city grows and becomes more urban, we want to make sure that those populations aren’t decreasing.”
Find more information on how to take part in Platypus Month by visiting the Waterwatch website, or sign up for events via Eventbrite.
