Camden Council is keeping a close eye on the animal that inspired their mascot, after commencing its Platypus Monitoring Program in February this year.

The program uses environmental DNA technology that picks up on traces of DNA left behind by every living creature through their skin cells, fur, hair and scats, to help determine the presence of platypus at six sites along the Nepean River.

Mayor of Camden, Cr Theresa Fedeli, said the program enables Council to better understand the local platypus population.

“Platypus are only found in parts of Australia’s east coast and have been seen in the Nepean River on occasion during the past 100 years,” Cr Fedeli said.

“The platypus monitoring program will help us in our conservation efforts along the Nepean River which in turn will assist the beautiful animals.

“Water samples to be collected will not only pick up any traces of platypus, but also Macquarie perch and the invasive fish European carp.

“Having traces of platypus in the Nepean River is also a great sign of the environmental health of our waterways.”

Results of February’s water sample collection will be available later this month. Platypus was last spotted by a Council employee in the Nepean River in 2018.

For more information on the platypus monitoring program, go to camden.nsw.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/native-animals/platypus