Summary: Science and research features on this week's program. In the Northern Territory they're hoping to discover new and exotic species living in and around the Daly River region; while researchers are keeping a close eye on platypus numbers in western Victoria. The hunt's also on for the elusive regent parrot; and we venture out onto the mudflats in Darwin to learn about the mating habits and complex behavious of a tiny little crab. We also head out to sea with rock lobster fishermen in southern Australia; help harvest the world's most expensive crop; and meet some new arrivals at a north Australian crocodile farm.<p><br><strong>1. Fish River reveals its secrets - Steven Schubert (Katherine NT)</strong><br>Last year Fish River Station in the Northern Territory was bought by a consortium of environmental groups and the Indigenous Land Corporation for conservation purposes. The property's now been destocked and scientists from across the country have been camped out along the Daly River cataloguing the unique flora and fauna of the area. Reporter Steven Schubert heads out to see what they've found, including a new genus of tarantula spider, a rare butterfly and tiny native fish species.<br><br><br><br><strong>2. Counting platypus - Lucy Barbour (Horsham VIC)</strong><br>You've got to like splashing around in cold rivers and creeks if you're studying platypus numbers in western Victoria. The Wimmera Catchment Management Authority has enlisted the help of researchers to survey the population around the Grampians National Park after years of drought and then flood impacted on numbers. Reporter Lucy Barbour heads out with researcher Josh Griffiths to Mackenzie Creek in the Wartook Valley to see if they've caught any platypus in the nets overnight.<br><br><br><br><strong>3. The elusive regent parrot - Deb O'Callaghan (Mildura VIC)</strong><br>People living and camping along the Murray River in north-west Victoria are being asked to keep a lookout for signs of a vulnerable species of parrot. The regent parrot nests in hollows in the river red gums and feeds in the nearby mallee scrub. Its habitat is under threat and experts need the public's help to track colonies in the area. Reporter Deb O'Callaghan heads out with Victor Hurley, a biodiversity officer with the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment, to the Hattah Lakes south of Mildura to see what they can find.<br><br><br><br><strong>4. Darwin's the fiddler capital - Liz Trevaskis (Darwin NT)</strong><br>Darwin in the Northern Territory is known for many things -- its crocodiles, the mangoes and the laid back lifestyle. But did you know it's also Australia's fiddler crab capital? Associate professor Pat Backwell from the Australian National University spends four months each year on the mudflats and mangroves around East Point Reserve and Lake Alexander studying the complex behaviours and mating habits of these tiny crabs. Reporter Liz Trevaskis joins her on the mudflats to learn more about this fascinating crustacean.<br><br><br><br><strong>5. Hauling in the lobster pots - Cherie McDonald (Mt Gambier SA)</strong><br>Paul Regnier has been a rock lobster fisherman for nearly 25 years but that doesn't always guarantee a good catch every time he heads out from Robe in South Australia to haul in his cray pots. Reporter Cherie McDonald pulls on the wet weather gear to join him and deck hand Greg Sneath on their run out to sea to see what they've caught.<br><br> <br><br><strong>6. Snipping saffron - Julia Holman (Canberra ACT)</strong><br>Saffron is the most expensive crop in the world, mostly because it's so painstaking to harvest. The spice is the red stigma of the purple crocus flower, and each one needs to be hand picked and hand processed. Christine and Ian McMillan from Bungendore, outside Canberra, use nail scissors to harvest their crop. Reporter Julia Holman joins them to see how it's done and follows the delicate saffron threads through the drying procedure before they're stored in glass jars.<br><br><br><br><strong>7. Hatching handbags - Matt Brann (Kununurra WA)</strong><br>There's some new arrivals at the Wyndham crocodile farm in the far north of Western Australia. They might look pretty cute but these babies can pack quite a bite. Reporter Matt Brann joins staff member Taylor Cavanough in the hatching room as she checks the incubator for signs of new life. The crocodiles are destined to be turned into expensive leather handbags and shoes, and Taylor says it's important not to get attached to the baby reptiles.<br><br><br><br><strong>8. Caddie the snake catcher - Caddie Brain (Alice Springs NT)</strong><br>Armed with a garbage bin lid and a set of long barbeque tongs, Alice Springs rural reporter Caddie Brain joins a group of trainee Indigenous rangers undertaking a snake handling and catching course in central Australia. After being taught about first aid and snake bite treatment, Rex Neindorf from the Alice Springs Reptile Centre takes the group through the correct way to catch and release the poisonous western brown and mulga snakes he's brought along for the training session. Col Stanton from the NT Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport (NRETAS) is on hand to help Caddie when it's her turn to catch a snake.
