Brisbane could be in danger of losing its small population of platypuses before many people even know they’re there.

Despite the main range of the elusive monotreme being in Australia’s south-east, they are found along the length of the east coast, including in south-east Queensland.

The species’ conservation level is listed as Low Concern by the Queensland environment department, however a wildlife management group says the number of platypuses in the region has dropped sharply.

Wildlife Queensland is warning Brisbane's native platypus population is at risk, with the animals disappearing from a number of areas. Credit:Tamielle Brunt

Wildlife Queensland ecologist Tamielle Brunt said while it was very hard to get exact figures, there were probably only about 20 of the animals in the greater Brisbane area.