PROTECT PLATYPUS: SEIZE IT, SNIP IT, BIN IT

Take action this September for Platypus Month and protect these incredible animals from loopy litter! Items like rubber bands, hair ties, plastic rings, fishing line, string, and twine are deadly traps for the platypus.

How You Can Help

Join the Seize it, Snip it, Bin it movement and help protect our unique platypuses:

• Seize it: Pick up any litter, especially loopy litter. Litter dropped on the ground ends up in our rivers and creeks.
• Snip it: Cut rings or loops, like hair ties or rubber bands, before disposal to reduce the risk of entanglement.
• Bin it: Always dispose of litter correctly to stop it from reaching our waterways

How does litter end up in our waterways?

Many people don’t realise that litter dropped on the ground doesn’t just disappear—it often ends up in our rivers, creeks and lakes. In urban areas, rain washes litter into the stormwater system, which flows directly into local waterways. Loopy litter like rubber bands, hair ties, and plastic rings, enter platypus habitat through the stormwater network, where they pose a serious threat to the platypus and other wildlife.

Why is loopy litter so dangerous?

Platypus can become entangled in litter when swimming or foraging for food. Platypuses eat waterbugs, including insect larvae, yabbies, shrimp, worms, and snails. They search for waterbugs by swimming along riverbeds with their eyes closed, using receptors in their bills to detect prey. While hunting for food loopy litter can get caught around the platypus’ bill, neck or body. Over time these litter items can tighten around the platypus, causing serious injury or even death.

It's estimated that 4% of platypuses in Greater Melbourne are entangled in litter at any given time. In some waterways, like the Werribee River, litter entanglement rates are estimated to be much higher at 15%. Most commonly reported entanglements involve loopy litter like hair ties, elastic bands, fishing line or plastic ring seals from food jars.

Why is Platypus Month in September?

September is a critical time for platypuses in Victoria—it’s their breeding season! As platypuses are out searching for mates, they become even more vulnerable to the dangers of litter in their environment. You can make a real difference during this important time by seizing, snipping, and binning loopy litter.

Spotted a platypus during Platypus Month? Make sure to record your platypus sightings using PlatypusSPOT. Every observation helps scientists better understand where platypuses live and how to protect them!

Every action counts. Together, we can protect the platypus from loopy litter and keep our rivers and creeks safe.