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A collaboration between the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, UNSW Sydney and WWF-Australia sees the first ever translocation program for platypus in NSW aiming to re-establish a self-sustaining and genetically diverse platypus population.

Five female platypus were released into the park last week and will be followed by four males in the coming week once the females have successfully established their territory.

Rob Brewster WWF-Australia’s Rewilding Program Manager shared “Platypus are the face of our creeks and rivers, but we risk losing them forever if we don’t take bold actions to reverse their decline.

“The last century saw the destruction of so much of Australia’s wildlife and wild places. The return of platypus to the Royal National Park shows that we can move beyond just protecting what remains, and actually restore what we’ve lost.”

The platypus were collected from southern NSW to ensure genetic diversity and brought to Taronga Zoo’s purpose-built platypus refuge.

They received veterinary health checks, were assessed for release, and fitted with transmitters.

Cameron Kerr, Taronga Conservation Society Australia shared “Shy and enigmatic, platypus are the silent victims of climate change. While their elusive behaviour keeps them from view, under the surface they are particularly susceptible to drought and environmental change.

“This translocation not only re-establishes a population in part of their former range but allows us to refine the skills and expertise that will inevitably be required to counter the impacts of increasingly frequent and more severe climate events.

“The platypus is Taronga’s emblem, and we are committed to ensuring it not only survives but thrives for years to come.”

Ongoing monitoring and tracking by UNSW and WWF-Australia will determine the success of the re-introduction to the park.

Platypus are under threat from habitat destruction and fragmentation.

These factors are increasing extinction risk to platypus populations and their resilience to endure extreme climate events.

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe notes “The iconic platypus is under immense pressure. The work that has gone into this project to get to the point of releasing these platypus is essential to assure the security of these species into the future.

“Royal National Park is Australia’s oldest national park and I am pleased this historic reintroduction will help re-establish a sanctuary for this iconic species.”

“Translocation is just one conservation measure that can help ensure the survival of NSW species such as platypus against climate change.”

Related Articles

29th December 2022 - Construction progresses on new Platypus Rescue HQ at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

4th November 2022 - Platypus refuge habitats among conservation projects to receive funding from Victorian Government

30th March 2022 - Conservationists plan to reintroduce platypuses to Sydney’s Royal National Park

13th February 2022 - New Australian Platypus Conservation Centre to be built at Healesville Sanctuary

6th September 2021 - Platypus returns to The Royal National Park after more than 50 year absence

11th January 2021 - Victorian Government takes urgent action to protect the platypus

18th December 2020 - Western Region Water Corporation prosecuted over polluting a platypus project

24th November 2020 - Aussie Ark returns Platypus to the Wild after Bushfire Rescue

23rd November 2020 - UNSW research finds platypus should be listed as threatened species

31st July 2019 - City of Logan community invited to help boost local platypus population

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