Bioaccumulation of Forever Chemicals in Platypuses

Katherine Warwick is an aquatic ecologist and PhD candidate at Western Sydney University. Katherine has recently led an Australian-first study which has found perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in the livers of eight wild platypuses. The near-threatened species is impacted by multiple anthropogenic threats and the identification of this 'forever chemical' in all of the wild-caught samples is cause for alarm.  Katherine will share her research findings and general biology of this uniquely Australian marsupial. 

Wangat Lodge is a set in a Wildlife Refuge deep in the valley below the Chichester Dam. Surrounded by wilderness, and a stones throw away from the World Heritage listed Barrington Tops National Park, Wangat Lodge is home to abundant wildlife, including the elusive Platypus.  Owner, Dan, will lead us on an exploration of the property and beyond to Jerusalem Falls, with Dr Katherine on hand to point out key platypus habitat, and any threats along the way.  You will have an opportunity to share your own experiences and knowledge, and meet like-minded folks in a glorious setting.

The event will be fully catered for, and will involve a 2-3 hour bush walk, which is only suitable for able bodied persons.  The venue does not cater for people with accessibility needs.

This event is possible thanks to the shared work of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust and Landcare NSW under the Private Land Conservation Matters project, supported locally by MidCoast Council.