Wimmera CMA has been studying the platypus population in the MacKenzie River for 20 years. For the past 12 years, the Wimmera's environmental watering program focused on where the platypuses are breeding.

The team was lead by wildlife ecologist Josh Griffiths, who presented their findings to community members at a breakfast held on Wednesday, April 21, hosted by Wimmera CMA and Laharum Landcare.

Mr Griffiths and team spent two nights setting up long nets in low water to allow platypus' to crawl in and be safe until the group checked on the nets multiple times a night until dawn.

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One platypus was found in the traps; it was microchipped and dubbed Kevin.

But Mr Griffiths was assured there are paddles of platypus around the Wimmera waterways.

"They have been listed as vulnerable in Victoria," Mr Griffiths explained.

"But there are groups in McKenzie River we've been studying for years.

"They're adaptable little critters. It doesn't take much to help them recover."

Another way to collect data on one of Australia's most identifiable creatures is environmental DNA.

Mr Griffiths said Wimmera was the first site to use this technology.

E-DNA uses water samples to find traces of animal DNA to gain figures for how many animals are in the area and travel.

There are only a few paddles in the Wimmera, but if there is a loss of any of the paddles in the Wimmera, they'll be gone for good.

"A lack of water is a challenge," Mr Griffiths said.

If a waterway dries up or there is a blockage, and a platypus needs to move across land, they are vulnerable to predators like foxes and dogs.

A lot of work has been done in the Wimmera to gain data on platypus in the area, but results take a long time to see due to the nature of the platypus.

"The Wimmera's long-term data was absolutely critical for the (vulnerable) listing as it's one of the few areas in Victoria that have a long-term platypus program," Mr Griffiths said.

"If we want platypus in the Wimmera catchment in 100 years time we can't just rely on this localised, small population in the MacKenzie River. We hope they'll grow and start dispersing into the Wimmera River itself and we need to consider all options available to help facilitate that."

Platypus only birth once a year during the spring and rarely yield more than one puggle (baby platypus).

To get platypus to colonise other areas in the Wimmera, Mr Griffiths said they need to get flows to other waterways in the Wimmera and a suitable habitat with lots of logs, grass, and bugs for the platypus to eat.

Mr Griffith said in spring this year, there will be a citizen search which will use samples from waterways to use environmental DNA to get numbers of platypus in the area.

After listing the species as threatened and vulnerable in January, the Victorian Government announced an initial cash injection of $250,000 to go immediately towards restoration works at important habitat sites across Victoria.

A further $50,000 will be used to develop a long-term action plan to ensure the future of the unique mammal.

Mr Griffiths said the MacKenzie River is a top example of a well-preserved habitat.

"This is what happens when we manage waterways appropriately," he said.

Mr Griffiths said to help the platypus thrive, people can join groups like Landcare and help keep waterways clean.

"It's amazing the impact a small group can have on a waterway," he said.

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