Saving the platypus from drought

A program that floods rivers and wetlands with water is having promising results on Victoria's platypus populations.

Supplied image obtained Wednesday, March 11, 2015 of conservation biologist Dr Melody Serena with a platypus near a Victorian creek. (AAP) Source: North Central Catchment Management Authority

Drought has hit platypus populations hard but a new Victorian program that floods their habitat with extra water is having promising results.

Since last year Victorian waterway managers have been working to to re-establish platypus populations hit by drought by putting more water in the rivers and creeks where they live.

Melbourne Water and platypus experts have been tracking platypi in the Tarago River before, during and after releasing large amounts of water into their environment.

The study shows that the platypi benefited greatly from the environmental water releases, which provided access to more habitat and increased food sources, like water bugs.