A platypus swimming in Lake Benalla. Photo: Rene Martens
A platypus is living in Benalla’s lake, only a short distance from the main street.
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According to the Australian Platypus Conservancy it is not unusual to have a platypus in waterways not far from human populations.
In fact there is evidence of a platypus litter being born in May last year in Lake Benalla.
The latest sighting, reported on August 7, was by photographer Rene Martens who captured the monotreme on video, swimming at Jaycee Island, near Psaltis Parade.
Conservancy conservation biologist Melody Serena said they were aware that platypus were in Benalla Lake, despite the draw-downs of the lake to control an invasive weed.
“They’ve been established for a long time. They appear to be still breeding as we had a report from last year,” she said.
Asked about the proximity to human activity, Dr Serena said the platypus had most likely grown up having seen people walking past and may not be fazed by what they saw and heard.
Mr Martens said he spotted the platypus about 11am and it wasn’t the first time he had seen them in the lake.
“I don’t know whether he saw me or not, he just kept swimming.”
Mr Martens told Country News he saw a different platypus in the lake on August 8.
Jaycee Island is only a short distance from Benalla's main street.
Anyone trying to spot a platypus could try scanning the lake surface in the early morning or late evening and look for ripples created by the monotreme as it moved through the water.
Dr Serena said with the advent of breeding season, from now until late September, the breeding males, scouting for females, may be more visible.
The platypus status is listed as vulnerable in Victoria.
The onservancy encourages people to report sightings through the following email: platypus.apc@westnet.com.au
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