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Taronga Western Plains Zoo has celebrated the first anniversary since the opening of the world's largest purpose-built platypus conservation centre on Dundullimal Tubba-Gah Wiradjuri Country in Dubbo.

The $12.5 million centre, co-funded by the NSW Government, Taronga Conservation Society Australia and philanthropic donors, combines a research centre, rescue and rehabilitation facilities, and a pre-release area to prepare recovered platypus for release to the wild.

A highlight of the facility is a purpose-built platypus habitat, where guests to Taronga Western Plains Zoo can see Mackenzie, an adult male platypus.

Since it opened, thousands of guests have taken the opportunity to visit and learn about this iconic and elusive species that calls the waterways of Australia home, including Central West NSW.

Platypus Keeper James Witcombe enthused “It’s been really amazing how seeing a Platypus captures the imagination. People are just so excited to see one in the flesh, to learn about how unusual they are, and to really engage with their plight in the wild.

“People in regional NSW especially have a real connection to this animal, and they’re really interested in learning how they can help Platypus in the wild. We call them a flagship species, because if we look after the Platypus, it looks after the river health in general.

“A lot of our guests are already reducing plastic in their day-to-day lives, and seeing Mackenzie, seeing a Platypus in the flesh, it really drives that message home for them and gets them really engaged to help protect this species.”

Platypus Rescue HQ builds on many years of Taronga’s conservation work to support the platypus, with cutting-edge research being delivered in partnership with the UNSW Sydney’s Centre for Ecosystem Science and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, with support from WIRES.

In addition to the public habitat and research centre, the facility includes a refuge capable of housing about 60 Platypus during severe environmental events such as droughts, bushfires and floods.

Taronga Conservation Society Australia Chief Executive Cameron Kerr said the refuge had not yet been called on, but it stands ready to support the emergency rescue and translocation of platypus in the event of environmental crisis.

Kerr added “shy and enigmatic, platypus are the silent victims of climate change, with their decline largely hidden from public view.

“While still in its very early days, our research program is already yielding valuable insights, including footage of animal interactions that simply would not be possible to witness in the wild.  

“Platypus Rescue HQ stands as a tangible reminder of the impact that a changing climate and more extreme weather events are having on our native species like Platypus, and the conservation efforts that are necessary to ensure these Australian icons survive, and thrive, for generations to come.”

Taronga is a not-for-profit organisation. Whether you visit, stay overnight, donate, become a Zoo Friend, book an encounter, or buy a gift for a loved one, every dollar you spend has the power to protect and save wildlife.

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