Platypus are showing encouraging signs of responding positively to habitat improvements in Monbulk Creek thanks to eDNA monitoring conducted by Southern Dandenongs Landcare and community platypus sightings.
Almost a decade ago, a management plan was developed to support platypus in Monbulk Creek following significant declines in the local population. The plan outlined a number of actions to improve habitat along Monbulk creek, including reconnecting the creek to the retarding basins at Birdsland Reserve to expand available habitat.
Ongoing community monitoring — including sightings submitted via PlatypusSPOT and community eDNA monitoring — has now confirmed platypus activity in both retarding basins at Birdsland Reserve. These results highlight the tangible impact of strategic habitat restoration and demonstrate the powerful role citizen science can play in evaluating management plans and capital works projects.
