LIVESTREAM: Platycam
Welcome to Platycam – the livestream of Platypus
on the Grange Burn in Hamilton, Victoria, Gunditjmara Country.
One of the world’s most unique animals, the Platypus has long held the fascination of people. From 1pm Monday, May 30, 2022, you will have the opportunity to view this duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed, fur-covered, egg-laying aquatic creature native to Australia in its natural environment.
Watch the livestream!
Livestream not showing? There could be a broken link. Head on over to our YouTube Channel HERE and see if its streaming there. Platycam operates with a solar-powered battery, after successive days of gloomy weather, it can sometimes go flat. As soon as it’s sunny we will have if back up as soon as possible.
Watch the platylist of sightings from Platycam HERE and a couple of sightings below…
What and where is Platycam?
Platycam is a livestream of the Grange Burn in Hamilton in south-west Victoria where a known population of Platypus live.
Platycam is installed high above the waterway near a footbridge on the Grange Burn walking path on Terrill Drive.
It’s a publicly accessible place and it is well signed for visitors. So if you happen to be in Hamilton, try standing or sitting very quietly near the waterway and you might just see the platypus in real life!
For all the other times, you can tune in to Platycam 24hrs a day to see what they platypus are up to!
When is the best time to see a platypus?
Can’t see a platypus on the video? These shy creatures are notoriously difficult to spot so we suggest you tune in two hours before dusk and after sunrise.
Platypus not on screen right now?
Check out these videos from the Grange Burn where people simply quietly walking along the river were lucky enough to spot these amazing inhabitants.
Why Platycam?
At its root, the idea of Platycam is simply to showcase this amazing species in its natural habitat, but also highlights how good waterway and natural resource management can positively benefit both the waterway and the animals which live in it.
Significant waterway works by Glenelg Hopkins CMA, in cooperation with Southern Grampians Shire Council and Wannon Water, have improved the Grange Burn to a point where it has a healthy population of the Platypus, which is now listed as a vulnerable species in Victoria.
This project includes the livestream camera, as well as installation of additional instream habitat and new bank revegetation works to support one of the world’s most unique animals.
Platycam is believed to be the only livestream camera of platypus in the wild, with most other streamed footage of the notoriously shy animals broadcast showing them in captivity.
The project is part of the Victorian Government’s $250,000 cash injection to carry out restoration works at key habitat sites to ensure the future of the unique mammal.
Want to know more about the platypus as a species?
Here at Glenelg Hopkins CMA we are great at natural resource management, but the Australian Platypus Conservancy are the gurus on Platypus.
To learn more about what they know about them visit: www.platypus.asn.au
PHOTO: Peter Menkhorst (Arthur Rylah Institute)
Wait! That’s not a platypus …
During the Platycam live stream you might spot animals other than platypus enjoying the Grange Burn.
Mostly, this will include the native water rat, or Rakali, which enjoys habitat like the platypus.
You might also see ducks and fish.
VIDEO: Chris Solum. Glenelg Hopkins CMA
Project supporters
This project is funded as part of the Victorian Government’s $250,000 cash injection to carry out restoration works at key habitat sites to ensure the future of the Platypus.
