Discover the wonderous world of waterbugs at Healesville Sanctuary

Visitors to Healesville Sanctuary this week can learn all about the importance of keeping our waterways healthy with the help of some tiny waterbugs and a platypus called Sam.  

Melbourne Water’s Education Team will be demonstrating how to look for waterbugs and what they tell us about waterway health.  

Melbourne Water Manager of Water Literacy Melissa Cordy said waterbugs are fascinating creatures.   

“Different types of waterbugs – or macroinvertebrates - have different tolerance to pollution, so the type of waterbugs present in a river or creek indicate the health of the ecosystem,” Ms Cordy said.  

“Waterbugs are a key part of the food chain for animals like platypus. Where waterbugs are abundant, the native wildlife will thrive.”  

“This is why it is so important to look after our waterways. The one action everyone in the community can do is make sure we dispose of litter correctly.” 

As Melbourne’s population grows, the amount of litter does too. As rain falls and flows through the landscape, it picks up litter on our streets and runs into Melbourne’s waterways through stormwater drains. 

Not only is litter unsightly, it has devastating impacts on native wildlife. Creatures can cut themselves, swallow rubbish or get their heads stuck in bits of plastic causing suffocation or starvation.  

Another display, which will be at Healesville Sanctuary, is Platypus Sam, a sculpture made of litter collected from waterways. Sam highlights the prevalence and detrimental impact of litter.  

The waterbug activity at Healesville Sanctuary is part of the Make Litter Extinct campaign, a partnership between Melbourne Water and Zoos Victoria.  

Melbourne Water’s Education Team will be onsite from 10am-3pm daily from Tuesday January 10-Monday January 16. Visitors are encouraged to say hello and learn more about waterbugs and water health.  

Visitors to the region are also encouraged to try some tap water.  It has recently been named the Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia and will represent the country at an international competition in February.  

Media Contact:   9679 7004