In a move to repopulate the Royal National Park with platypus, Taronga Zoo staff have recently released several of monotremes who had been especially chosen for the program.
Under the very first translocation program, the platypus were brought to Taronga Zoo’s purpose-built refuge from southern NSW. While at the zoo, they had veterinary health checks, were assessed for release and also fitted with transmitters.
The project is a collaboration between the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services, Taronga Zoo Conservation Society Australia, UNSW Sydney and WWF-Australia. The aim is to re-establish a self-sustaining and genetically diverse platypus population that has been locally extinct for 50 years.
The female platypus were the first to be released into the park this week. Four males will be introduced to the park once the females have established their territory.
UNSW and WWF-Australia will monitor the platypus to determine the success of the introduction into the park.
“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,” NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said.
