Pathways to Action: Helping Platypuses and Echidnas

We can all support wildlife. The species we feature in Survival Stories are all in need of help from the human inhabitants of their living spaces. As our climate warms and becomes more erratic and more prone to extremes, all species need help to live well. In our backyards and schools, farms and national parks, towns and cities.

We know from Australian Museum researchers that urban environments are important refuges for many of Australia’s endangered animals. For some it is their only remaining habitat. Some things we do – such as growing native plants in our gardens or on our balconies – will support many species, including those we have featured in Survival Stories. A list informed by the Nature Conservancy is below – see if you can encourage others to step up as stewards of our native species too!

Practical ways you can make a difference

1. Grow plants indigenous to your area
   Providing habitat, food and shelter, native plants are a crucial foundation for supporting native wildlife, including birds, bats, bees and other pollinators. Ask for recommendations at a local nursery and seek out nurseries specialising in native species.
2. Leave water out all year-round
   Shallow, clean water in a terracotta dish, ideally next to sheltering shrubs, provides a safe, reliable source of water, especially important through heatwaves and dry spells.
3. Control pets
   Cats and dogs are tough on wildlife. Keeping pets in outdoor enclosures and indoors helps wildlife survive in your garden. It also protects your pets: it has been shown that indoor cats live on average four times longer than those left to roam. Controlling pests like rats and mice is also important to support wildlife. Avoid leaving pet food out at night and keep rubbish bins closed.
4. Avoid chemicals
   Herbicides and pesticides kill native species. A rich variety of species in your garden, including lizards, frogs, birds and insects will help to control many pests. If you are really needing to spray for pests, look up less toxic options such as pyrethrum.
5. Provide rocks, bark and logs for shelter
   Shelter encourages lizards into your garden. Lizards of different varieties eat flies, mosquitoes, slugs and snails. Useful neighbours!
6. Volunteer or donate to a group doing good work
   Such as wildlife carers WIRES or a conservation group like WWF or Australian Conservation Foundation.
7. Vote for politicians who support native species conservation

As an individual

1. Keep your pets inside at night
   Like many other native species, Platypus can be killed by cats and domestic dogs. Keep them inside at night, when Platypus are most active.
   
2. Keep streams clean
   Clean up streams and surrounding areas by removing rubbish, broken bottles, and other non-natural debris.
   
3. Avoid pesticides and chemicals in your garden
   Using pesticides or insecticides affects Platypus prey, making it more difficult for them to survive as their food sources are depleted. Chemicals and pesticides can also make their way into waterways from runoff due to rain, causing dangerous algal blooms.
   
4. Don’t use yabby traps or fishing nets in freshwater streams
   Platypus could easily become entangled in nets or traps, so avoid using such traps or netting in freshwater streams or areas where Platypus may live.

Community action

1. Petition your council
   Petition your council to protect Platypus habitats by revegetating eroded creek or stream banks. The council will know which native plants are the best for the area. Planting native vegetation will not only provide more habitat but will protect the banks and reinforce the streams.
   
2. Fence off creek banks to provide extra protection
   WIRES is one of the main carers group for wildlife in Australia, and they are often the first port of call for Platypus rescues. Supporting a wildlife carers group like WIRES with their work by donating or volunteering can help injured and orphaned animals to survive.
   
3. Get involved in citizen science
   Add observations of wildlife to the Platy Project helping scientists with their research and documenting where Platypus have been sighted.

As an individual

1. Keep pets inside and leashed
   Echidnas can be killed by cats and domestic dogs. Keep them inside at night, when Echidnas are most active.
   
2. Restore fallen logs, branches, tree stumps, and leaf litter
   Echidnas are under threat from habitat loss. Restoring vegetation provides habitat both for Echidnas and their prey, invertebrates.
   
3. Do not approach or relocate an echidna!
   Unless the echidna is injured, spineless, or very young, do NOT approach or relocate it, as it will lose its scent trail and be unable to find its way back home. If you see one attempting to cross the road, you can stop traffic to help it cross, but do not approach.
   
4. Do a finger test on your netting or fences
   Although tree netting is a popular way to protect fruit from wildlife, many nets can be deadly, causing horrible injuries that cause death or require long-term care. Wildlife friendly netting has a mesh size of less than 5mm- smaller than your pinkie finger. See the WIRES guide for more information.

Community action

1. Plant native vegetation
   Plant native vegetation in habitat corridors to provide more habitat and movement.
   
2. Support a wildlife carers group
   WIRES is one of the main carers group for wildlife in Australia, and they are often the first port of call for echidna rescues. Supporting a wildlife carers group like WIRES with their work by donating or volunteering can help injured and orphaned animals to survive.
   
3. Vote for or petition politicians
   Vote or petition for increased wildlife corridors in your area.