Geoff Williams holding a platypus
Platypus at Kettering. Photo: Barry Baker
Images:
Top – Geoff Williams holding a platypus
Bottom – Platypus at Kettering. Photo: Barry Baker

Sunday 12 November, 3PM

The platypus is one of the world’s most amazing animals. This furry, warm-blooded mammal lays soft-shelled eggs like a lizard, uses its bill to navigate underwater, and sorts out arguments with the help of venomous spurs. The platypus is also among the most popular of Australia’s animal icons and is a great flagship species for freshwater conservation. But what about the platypus’s own environmental needs? How is the species faring in the wild? And what needs to be done to ensure that populations survive in and around Benalla?

Coinciding with Taro Iiyama’s incredible cardboard platypus installation, iNTO, Benalla Art Gallery is hosting a talk by Geoff Williams from the Australian Platypus Conservancy where visitors can soak up his wealth of knowledge about this amazing monotreme. Geoff will highlight the features that make the platypus so special, explain its conservation needs and provide hints on how to spot platypus in the wild. After the talk there will be an opportunity to accompany Geoff to spots around Lake Benalla and its tributaries where platypus are often observed and learn about the possibilities of becoming involved in ‘citizen science’ programs to monitor local populations.

Geoff Williams has been studying the platypus since 1994 when he helped found the Australian Platypus Conservancy, an organisation dedicated to researching platypus conservation needs. Prior to his work with the APC, Geoff was Director of Healesville Sanctuary for five years from 1988 to 1993 and, before moving to Victoria, was Assistant Director of Sydney’s Taronga Zoo from 1985 to 1988. Geoff has presented numerous public talks on platypus at venues throughout Australia, including various universities, the National Museum in Canberra and the Melbourne Museum (on behalf of Australian Geographic).

To learn more about the Australian Platypus Conservancy, visit: www.platypus.asn.au

Registration essential: T 03 5760 2619 or gallery@benalla.vic.gov.au

Cost: FREE

APC logo

This event is presented as part of the 2023 Benalla Festival—Celebrating our Past, Present, Future

Benalla Festival logo