While researchers are warning of significant platypus population declines and localised extinctions across areas of South Australia and Victoria, one angler says local numbers are on the increase.
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Luke Simpson spent his youth in Cathcart, and he says he sees more of the elusive egg laying mammal around the area than ever before.
“You never saw them about as much as you do now,” the 33-year-old said.
“Unless you were looking for them as a kid, I don't recall ever seeing them.”
Well, I guess they don't call it platypus country for nothing.
- Luke Simpson
He says it is common to spot a number of platypus during an afternoon fishing trip to the Crankies Plain Bridge crossing the Coolumbooka River.
“Now you only have to cast your eye into the river of an afternoon, and you'll spot them as you drive by,” he said.
“I know they’re out past Cathcart now.”
While yabby traps have been blamed for large-scale deaths of the monotreme, Mr Simpson said the traps would only be used in private dams around the area.
“Well, I guess they don't call it platypus country for nothing,” he said with a laugh.
“Talking to others, they agree the population isn’t in decline.
“the general consensus is that you only have to sit for five minutes of an afternoon, and you'll see some.”
He said a survey of the Bombala region may just show scientists how healthy population levels can be maintained in other parts of Australia.
“They might just find there answer to how they can flourish with the absence of traps,” he said.
According to the Office of Environment and Heritage, the species is “vulnerable to local extinction when populations become isolated from one another due to stream bank erosion or dam construction”.
