According to a wave of anecdotal evidence from Beltana, Leigh Creek, Warraweena, Copley and across the district, Echidnas are being sighted in surprising numbers. The number of echidna sightings in the Northern Flinders Ranges is rapidly rising, but not much is known about the populations of these elusive little monotremes in our area. The following information and links come from the Atlas of Living Australia who are hosting the citizen science project Echidna CSI. This exciting project invites you to contribute reports of your echidna sightings – past, present and future!
“Although an iconic native Australian animal, we do not know much about echidnas’ wild populations, as they are extremely hard to find (when you’re actually looking for them). However, we know that there are many of you that have seen wild echidnas (sometimes even in your own backyard!) and taken photos or videos of them. With your help and photo taking abilities we can start filling in the gaps about wild echidnas in Australia.
What we also need help with is collecting echidna scats (which is a nicer way of saying poo). Why? Because we can get a lot of information about echidnas through the molecules in their scats. We can get out DNA and hormones to tell us who that echidna is, if it’s healthy, stressed or reproductively active. And so we can learn more about these wild populations without having to track or capture any of these animals.”
Get Involved! There are a couple of options for submitting data
Use EchidnaCSI app to record and submit sighting on the spot:
Download the app and have it ready to take a photo at your next sighting.
Or make a manual online submission of your echidna sighting :
Sign up to the Atlas of Living Australia website and lodge your sighting. Even if you didn’t get a chance to take a photo, you can still submit a date and map marker of your Echidna sighting.
This albino kangaroo was sighted south of Hawker. Other sightings have been made in the area. Anecdotal evidence suggests that there are several in the central Flinders Ranges. Kangaroo hunters over the years have avoided shooting white kangaroos and report several variations in eye and fur colouration. 