Photo Credit DBCA. We’re using camera traps across South-East Queensland to help locate echidnas and observe their behaviour in the wild. Echidnas are solitary and shy, making them difficult to spot, but motion-activated cameras offer a non-invasive, reliable way to detect their presence and build a better understanding of where and when they are active. By following a systematic deployment process, we hope to estimate echidna abundance and track changes over time. This data is essential for identifying key habitats, detecting emerging threats, and informing long-term conservation efforts. We currently have camera trapping underway in Logan, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, and Brisbane, with plans to expand into other regions. These efforts are supported by community volunteers, Bushcare groups, and students, helping to create a powerful network of citizen scientists working together to protect one of Australia’s most iconic native species.

Bushcare and community groups will be trained to carry out systematic transect walks during the peak echidna activity period (May to October). These walks involve identifying echidna field signs such as scats, diggings, and changes to termite mounds—key indicators of echidna presence and foraging behaviour.

By following set routes through local bushland, volunteers can collect consistent, repeatable data that contributes to long-term monitoring. These observations help build a clearer picture of echidna distribution, habitat use, and seasonal activity patterns.

We’re equipping Bushcare and community groups with the tools and training to identify and collect echidna scats (faeces) for genetic analysis. These non-invasive surveys will be conducted during the echidna breeding season (May to October), when echidnas are most active and scats are more likely to be found.

By analysing these samples, we aim to understand the genetic health and diversity of echidna populations across South-East Queensland. This information is vital for assessing population robustness, detecting potential inbreeding, and guiding future conservation strategies.

Echidnas are notoriously difficult to find in the wild. These cryptic animals are well camouflaged, often covering themselves with dirt or leaf litter, and spending long periods underground or hidden in dense vegetation. Their elusive nature makes it challenging to monitor populations, collect biological samples, or understand their movements and habitat use. To address this, we are trialling the use of conservation detection dogs to help locate echidna faecal samples and, where possible, the animals themselves. We’re currently working with Jarrah, a detection dog in training courtesy of Nature Nose, under the guidance of handler and trainer Jayda. Jarrah has successfully learned the echidna scent, and the next phase of his training will take him into the field to test his ability in real-world environments. By using detection dogs, we hope to improve our capacity to detect and study free-roaming echidnas in a non-invasive, efficient way. This innovative approach could open new doors for monitoring efforts and deepen our understanding of echidna ecology across South-East Queensland.

Echidnas are notoriously difficult to find in the wild. These cryptic animals are well camouflaged, often covering themselves with dirt or leaf litter, and spending long periods underground or hidden in dense vegetation. Their elusive nature makes it challenging to monitor populations, collect biological samples, or understand their movements and habitat use. To address this, we are trialling the use of conservation detection dogs to help locate echidna faecal samples and, where possible, the animals themselves. We’re currently working with Jarrah, a detection dog in training courtesy of Nature Nose, under the guidance of handler and trainer Jayda. Jarrah has successfully learned the echidna scent, and the next phase of his training will take him into the field to test his ability in real-world environments. By using detection dogs, we hope to improve our capacity to detect and study free-roaming echidnas in a non-invasive, efficient way. This innovative approach could open new doors for monitoring efforts and deepen our understanding of echidna ecology across South-East Queensland.

Echidnas are notoriously difficult to find in the wild. These cryptic animals are well camouflaged, often covering themselves with dirt or leaf litter, and spending long periods underground or hidden in dense vegetation. Their elusive nature makes it challenging to monitor populations, collect biological samples, or understand their movements and habitat use. To address this, we are trialling the use of conservation detection dogs to help locate echidna faecal samples and, where possible, the animals themselves. We’re currently working with Jarrah, a detection dog in training courtesy of Nature Nose, under the guidance of handler and trainer Jayda. Jarrah has successfully learned the echidna scent, and the next phase of his training will take him into the field to test his ability in real-world environments. By using detection dogs, we hope to improve our capacity to detect and study free-roaming echidnas in a non-invasive, efficient way. This innovative approach could open new doors for monitoring efforts and deepen our understanding of echidna ecology across South-East Queensland.