Australian Platypus Conservancy (Official)

06/03/2026

The current edition of Platypus News & Views (no. 101, February 2026) can now be found on the APC websitehttps://platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/E-PNV-101.pdf
In this edition you can read about:
An overview of platypus occurrence in Greater Sydney.
Citizen scientists capture great images of platypus behaviour.
Latest results from Ballarat's rakali monitoring program.
Rakali wins ‘Most Underrated Animal’ poll.
Gondwana Macadamias joins APC Sponsors List.
Pip the Easter Platypus
Platypus sculptures celebration.

You are welcome to reproduce any of the material from PN&V for non-profit, educational purposes, subject to acknowledgement of the APC as the source.

20/02/2026

THE EASTER PLATYPUS

Instead of that feral impostor Bunny why not give a delicious chocolate platypus this Easter and help the conservation of our egg-laying mammal at the same time?

Pip the Platypus in one of the iconic Australian animals in the Critters Collection produced by artisan chocolatier Koko Black. Donations by Koko Black from each item sold help support the work of several wildlife conservation organisations, including the Australian Platypus Conservancy. Pip is available online and in-store across the nation – see https://www.kokoblack.com/products/pip-platypus.

The Australian Platypus Conservancy is a non-profit association that does not receive government funding. The APC relies on donations from individuals and the support of responsible businesses and organisations to conduct its research and conservation programs. The APC sincerely thanks Koko Black for valuable support over the past few years.

17/12/2025

A platypus was found dead last week in an opera house yabby trap in Traralgon Creek in central Victoria. This incident follows upon two dead platypus being recovered from fishing nets in Gippsland in September.
Possession and use of opera house traps and other designs of enclosed yabbying nets, have been illegal in Victoria since mid-2019. Such traps are also illegal in NSW, ACT, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia and can only be used in certain parts of Queensland. Significant fines can be imposed and a prison sentence can also apply if native wildlife, such as platypus or rakali (Australian water-rat), are killed in such traps.

This latest incident is under investigation by Victorian Fisheries Authority officers. Anyone with information about illegal trap usage is urged to contact the VFA Hotline on 13FISH (133474).
With the summer vacation period approaching, bringing with it increased recreational angling activity, it is vital that everybody undertaking fishing or yabbying should check current recreational fishing regulations for the state/territory that they are in to ensure that the equipment they are using is allowable. Various types of ‘wildlife-friendly’ lift nets and open-top pyramid traps (see photo) are now easily available so the message is very clear: stop using opera house death-traps!”.

15/09/2025

Two platypus have been found dead in illegal fishing traps in Gippsland (Victoria) recently.
In the first incident, a platypus was discovered drowned in an enclosed crab pot set (see photo) in the Tarra River near Yarram. Shortly after, a fish researcher found remains of a platypus in an old opera house yabby trap that had been left in Hazel Creek near Nilma.
Use of enclosed yabbying and fishing nets, including opera house traps, has been totally banned in Victoria since mid-2019. Based on anecdotal reports collected by the Conservancy, West Gippsland appears to be one of the worst “hot-spots” for illegal trap usage and killing of platypus.
It is of great concern that some people still seem to have not got the message. All platypus populations in Gippsland are officially considered Vulnerable. Any deaths in traps can potentially threaten the survival of the species in some waterways.
Significant fines can be imposed for illegal use or possession of traps and a prison sentence can be imposed for killing native wildlife. These incidents are under investigation by Victorian Fisheries Authority officers. Anyone with information about illegal trap crimes is urged to contact the VFA Hotline on 13FISH (133474).

All persons undertaking fishing or yabbying are reminded to check their state/territory recreational fishing regulations to ensure that the equipment they are using is allowable in order to avoid both heavy penalties and the risk of potentially killing platypus and other aquatic wildlife.
Apart from the traditional technique of capturing yabbies by dangling a chunk of meat (tied to a length of string) in the water, various types of lift nets and open-top pyramid traps are permitted; these designs have been shown to be just as effective at catching yabbies as enclosed “death-traps”.
In addition, anglers must ensure that they follow all rules about when and where to fish, including never leaving lines unattended – something that recently resulted in the death of a platypus hooked on an abandoned/unattended setline in Middle Creek.

30/08/2025

The current edition of Platypus News & Views (no. 100, August 2025) is now available on the APC website at: https://platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E-PNV-100.pdf.

In this edition you can read about:
* Latest findings in relation to platypus litter entanglement.
* Recommended ways to report platypus sightings.
* Platypus deaths continue to occur in traps.
* Platypus sculptures find a good home.

You are welcome to reproduce any of the material from PN&V for non-profit, educational purposes, subject to acknowledgement of the APC as the source.

21/07/2025

Following the death of three platypus in an illegal net at Yarra Junction last week we draw your attention to a petition protesting against Victorian Fisheries Authority’s cut to frontline Fisheries Officers. The petition closes on 31/7 and as many signatures as possible are needed to show the government this is an important issue. The link to the petition is:
https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/victorian-fisheries-authority-workforce-changes/ #:~:text=The%20petition%20of%20certain%20citizens,north%20end%20of%20Port%20Phillip
Those under 18 can also sign.

Take a look at some other petitions related to causes you care about. There are many passionate individuals just like you who are working towards positive change. Signing more petitions and sharing them with your friends and family can help bring attention to important issues and create lasting impa...

13/07/2025

Three platypuses were killed in an illegal fishing trap at Yarra Junction last week. On Friday (11 July) a Yarra Ranges Council worker removed an illegal fishing trap from the Little Yarra River at Yarra Junction which was found to contain two dead adult male platypuses. A bystander informed him that the previous day another platypus had been killed in the same trap.
Enclosed yabbying and fishing nets, including opera house traps, were totally banned in Victoria in mid-2017. It is of great concern that some people still seem to have not got the message. It is even more worrying that, having killed a platypus one day, the same person would come back and kill two more the next.
Significant fines can be imposed for illegal use of traps and a prison sentence can be imposed for killing native wildlife. This incident is under investigation by Victorian Fisheries Authority officers. Anyone with information about the crime is urged to contact the VFA Hotline on 13FISH (133474).
All persons undertaking fishing or yabbying are reminded to check state/territory recreational fishing regulations to ensure that the equipment they are using is allowable in order to avoid both heavy penalties and the risk of potentially killing platypuses and other aquatic wildlife.

29/05/2025

The current edition of Platypus News & Views (no. 99, May 2025) is now online on the Australian Platypus Conservancy website: https://platypus.asn.au/apc-newsletter/
In this edition you can read about:

* How a camera-based research project has shed new light on platypus behaviour in times of drought.
* An overview of how much food a platypus requires.
* Another platypus killed by entanglement in an elastic hair-tie.

You are welcome to reproduce any of the material from PN&V for non-profit, educational purposes, subject to acknowledgement of the APC as the source.

Platypus News & Views 68 click here

06/05/2025

A weaving group in Wagga Wagga is currently exhibiting Biladurang at Wagga Wagga Tafe gallery 43. It is around 3m long. It is the largest of 96 weavings on display until May 29.

01/03/2025

The latest edition of Platypus News & Views (no. 98, February 2025) is now available in the APC Newsletter section of the Conservancy website at:https://platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/E-PNV-98.pdf
In this edition you can read about:
* More about platypus mortalities and how to address them.
* The impact of lakeside lighting on rakali at Lake Wendouree.
* 80th anniversary edition of We Breed the Platypus.
* Review of platypus fyke-netting methods now on-line.

You are welcome to reproduce any of the material from PN&V for non-profit, educational purposes, subject to acknowledgement of the APC as the source.

20/01/2025

In early 1944 the news that the first breeding of the platypus in captivity had taken place at Healesville Sanctuary caused a great sensation. "We Breed the Platypus", written by Sanctuary Director David Fleay - the person responsible for the successful outcome – described the story of Corrie and proud parents Jack and Jill. This 52-page illustrated booklet was a huge best-seller at the time, treasured in thousands of Australian households.
To mark the 80th anniversary of this famous event a special facsimile edition of "We Breed the Platypus" has been printed. Copies can be purchased for the fantastic price of only $15.95 (including P&P) by contacting David’s daughter, Rosemary Thomson at [email protected] (or by writing to her at: Rose Cottage, 2704 Natural Bridge via Nerang QLD 4211).