7 June 2024
It’s been another busy month for Wildlife Queensland’s project officers. Dr Kate Dutton-Regester, Ecologist and Wildlife Queensland’s EchidnaWatch Project Officer has initiated two new projects focused on short-beaked echidnas. Discover how you can be involved.
Landholders wanted for echidna research
Dr Kate Dutton-Regester will conduct a multi-year study on the distribution and abundance of short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) in Brisbane, a collaboration between the University of Queensland and Wildlife Queensland.
She is actively seeking landowners willing to have 5-20 camera traps placed on their property for two weeks to help gather information. The number of cameras installed will depend on the size of the property.
Echidnas are understudied, and while they are assumed to be plentiful, there is currently no data supporting their distribution. Landholder participation in this study will contribute to understanding echidna abundance and distribution in South East Queensland.
If interested, please get in touch with Kate at k.duttonregester@uq.edu.au
Short-beaked echidna distribution and workshops
Dr Dutton-Regester has also obtained a grant from the City of Moreton Bay entitled “Engaging the Community in Short-beaked Echidna Conservation”.
The project aims to actively involve the public in protecting the short-beaked echidna through the EchidnaWatch program. The project will raise public awareness about echidnas in urban and bushland settings and encourage active participation in reporting sightings.
The initiative includes Echidna Education Workshops for Children, teaching children about echidnas’ unique characteristics and ecological significance. Through fun and creative activities, children will learn about echidna behaviour, habitat preferences, and the importance of conservation efforts.
For adults, the project offers a unique opportunity for guided bushland walks led by an experienced ecologist. These walks will teach participants about echidna habitats and how to recognise key ecological indicators and signs of echidna presence. Additionally, participants will learn how to report echidna sightings effectively through the EchidnaWatch program.
The project aims to increase community awareness about the conservation status and importance of short-beaked echidnas, ultimately fostering a more informed and engaged public in wildlife conservation efforts. Keep an eye out for when these events are announced.
“I’m excited to launch these initiatives to study and protect short-beaked echidnas in South East Queensland. Whether through our camera trap study or educational workshops and bushland walks, you can help ensure these unique creatures thrive,” says Dr Kate Dutton-Regester.
What you can do:
- Learn more about Wildlife Queensland’s EchidnaWatch program
- Report an echidna sighting
- Download a copy of Wildlife Queensland’s short-beaked echidna information booklet.
- Subscribe to our eBulletin Talking Wildlife to learn more about your local wildlife, plus Wildlife Queensland’s latest news, offers and events.