Predicted weather conditions have cancelled a vital data collection survey for platypus on the Little Yarra
The platypus survey planned by landcare groups for Saturday 21 October has been cancelled.
Healesville Environmental Watch Inc (HEWI) president Karen Garth said that after considering predictions for thunderstorms and rain that the groups have decided to cancel the event.
“We’ve decided to postpone our survey until Autumn next year when the youngsters are moving about,” she said.
Grassroots citizen scientists had been invited to take part in the platypus survey on the Little Yarra on Saturday 21 October and the event would have marked the return of official data collection to that area of the river after a nearly 20 year hiatus.
HEWI partnered with Upper Yarra Landcare for the event and Ms Garth said this time of year is one of the peak times to spot platypus.
“They are still mating now and the males are moving around a lot more,” she said.
People can always upload platypus sightings up to mobile apps such as Inaturalist or Platypus Spot.
