Public Talk:

Understanding the Native Water Rat – Australia’s ‘Otter’

Relatively few people know that the Australian water-rat (Hydromys chrysogaster) is a genuine native rodent that was a natural part of our environment long before its pest cousins – the black rat and brown rat – arrived with the early colonists.

The water-rat (also known as rakali) is an extremely attractive mammal. Its thick coat of soft fur, dense whiskers, blunt muzzle, partly webbed hind feet, and furry tail, all help create a resemblance to a miniature otter.

The Director of the Australian Platypus Conservancy, Geoff Williams, will be present a talk about rakali on Friday, 3rd August from 6pm at the Cooma Ex-services Club. [insert venue]. Geoff has been studying platypus and water-rats since 1994. Before helping to establish the Conservancy, Geoff was Director of Healesville Sanctuary and Assistant Director of Taronga Zoo.