Platypuses disappear from five Brisbane waterways

They collected samples between June and October, the platypus breeding season, considering it the highest period of activity for the species.

In total, 24 waterways tested positive for platypus environmental DNA (eDNA), and of these, 20 waterways had reported previous platypus sightings.

“Five waterways, based on lack of platypus eDNA, may no longer have platypus present,” the researchers’ final paper, published in Australian Mammalogy in January, said.

“Areas of concern are the mid to upper Bremer River, west of Brisbane, Scrubby and Slacks Creeks south of Brisbane, and Enoggera and Kedron Brook/Creek north of Brisbane.

“Platypuses have previously been recorded in these waterways but we failed to detect platypus eDNA at multiple sites with…