Community, creeks and the hunt for platypus DNA

The idea was simple but special: a moment in time for the community to visit the site before rehydration works begin, a true ‘before’ photo, taken together, and to catch up with one another and share our love of caring for our creeks.

The highlight of the morning was hearing from Kat Warwick, a freshwater ecologist from Western Sydney University who specialises in platypus. Fun fact from the world of platypus science: these remarkable monotremes have no stomach at all, food travels straight from the oesophagus to the intestine. Nature clearly decided the platypus was already unusual enough.

In the afternoon, Meg Rice and Racheal Kneeves ran hands-on sessions on easy citizen science water quality sampling and eDNA sampling. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is the genetic material animals leave behind in the water, tiny traces of skin, scales and waste. By collecting and filtering a water sample, scientists can detect which species call the creek home without needing to spot (or catch) a single one. It’s the perfect technique for famously shy locals like the platypus, and these samples now form part of the site’s baseline monitoring.

Rugged up and ready: the group gathers on a chilly winter morning at Bangalla for welcome and introductions.

Something special about the day was the collaborative team of organisations that came together, with each sharing updates on how they can support the local community in looking after our creeks and rivers. A big thanks also to the Southern Highlands Landcare Network for their support with the running of the event, and to Mulloon’s CEO, Carolyn Hall and WSP Manager Erin Healy for facilitating the day.

The weather was cold, but we battled through – and it will be well worth it to have the baseline monitoring done. Next steps? The group will return in spring to see the site after works are completed, then repeat the monitoring over the coming years to watch the impact unfold. Watch this space (and this creek)!

This event was funded by WaterNSW and The Ian Potter Foundation.

Freshwater ecologist Kat Warwick from Western Sydney University shares her platypus research and what healthy creek habitat means for our most elusive local.

Above: Racheal Kneeves and Meg Rice demonstrate Waterwatch and eDNA sampling – collecting the tiny traces of DNA that creek creatures leave behind in the water

Above: Capturing the creek’s hidden residents: filtering water samples for eDNA analysis as part of the site’s baseline monitoring.