Acknowledgement: adapted from the Australian Platypus Conservancy Newsletter, May 2026

It’s important that everyone remain aware that platypus may pop up nearly anywhere in Tasmania or along the east coast of Australia south of Cooktown, even in places where the species has not been known to occur for years. Keep this fact in mind when engaged in activities that could potentially impinge on platypus welfare and survival.

Sightings play an important role in describing how the status of platypus populations can change over time. If you do happen to spot a platypus (or rakali) in the wild, the Australian Platypus Conservancy (APC) website provides a user-friendly platform to report the salient details.

All confirmed reports are then shared with the Atlas of Living Australia, so they can be used for research and conservation purposes and also be viewed by interested members of the wider community.