Some of Australia's most curious critters need to make use of the eyes of observant North-West residents.
Platypus numbers in the region need to be monitored to plot the population trends of the mystical monotremes.
The Australian Platypus Conservancy has teamed up with the Cradle Coast Authority to encourage would-be citizen scientists to keep their eyes peeled for the notoriously shy animals.
The Devonport City Council and the Tasmanian Arboretum are also on board to educate residents about how to spot platypus, and log their sightings.
Experts from the Conservancy will be presenting a free information session about the platypus at 7pm, Monday October 28 at the Tasmanian Arboretum Education Centre at Eugenana.
The following day, experts will lead a platypus-spotting training session for potential participants, leaving from the arboretum at 7am.
"Research conducted by the APC over the past decade has demonstrated that standardised visual monitoring can track how platypus populations vary through time," said APC biologist Geoff Williams.
"The basic method is simple: trained volunteers visit fixed monitoring sites at frequent intervals to record the number of platypus observed. Crucially, they keep track of both when animals are seen and when they are not.
"This allows the frequency of sightings - the average number of animals seen per site-visit - to be calculated as an index of platypus activity which, in turn, can be used to plot population trends."
The APC has now expanded monitoring efforts by launching the Australian Platypus Monitoring Network (APMN). A dedicated website and app provide improved training for volunteers and facilitate immediate uploading of sighting records in the field.
"It doesn't take a huge time commitment - you don't have to watch for platypus every day. Once or twice a week is fine, though you can certainly look more often if you want," Mr Williams said.
"Similarly, a standard monitoring session requires just 5-10 minutes of observation time at each site."
CCA coordinator Iona Flett said the program is a great way to encourage residents to look out for platypus in their local waterways.
"There are many places around the North-West, such as near the Axeman's Hall of Fame in Latrobe, Hiscutt Park in Penguin and Fern Glade in Burnie, where locals can see platypus," she said.
CCA chief Daryl Connelly said North-West residents had a great opportunity to be involved in good environmental initiatives.
"Given our abundant wildlife and our love of the outdoors, there is enormous potential to involve the community in citizen science. This is just one example of the important work we are supporting, to help maintain our region's clean, green environment," he said.
Contact Iona Flett on firstname.lastname@example.org or 6433 8400 to RSVP for the October 28 platypus spotting information session.