![]() “We are already working with NPWS who are controlling fox populations. “We will learn a lot by this reintroduction,” he says. Professor Richard Kingsford, Director of the Centre for Ecosystem Science and is also a member of the UNSW platypus research team, says platypuses are currently facing multiple threats across their range. The UNSW team releases a platypus on the banks of the Hacking river. “We collected platypuses from multiple sites across multiple rivers to ensure no impacts to the source populations, and to ensure genetic diversity of the introduced population at Royal National Park.” “The welfare of the platypuses was always our highest priority – both at the source sites and the release site at Royal National Park,” she says. “An integral part of future conservation efforts will be our preparedness to undertake emergency responses to rescue and translocate platypuses from drought-affected areas,” he says.ĭr Tahneal Hawke, a researcher on the project, has contributed invaluable research in preparation for the reintroduction by assessing platypus population sizes and demographics at the sourcing sites. “This is a landmark project that will not only restore the platypus to its rightful place in Royal National Park but also aims to set the framework for future conservation efforts of a species largely overlooked,” Dr Bino says. He is excited to see years of planning come to fruition for the return of one of Australia’s favourite animals to a habitat just an hour away from Sydney’s CBD. With his colleagues, he established the Platypus Conservation Initiative more than eight years ago and has been studying platypus populations across their range. Lead researcher Dr Gilad Bino has more than two decades of experience in ecological research and implementing conservation programs. Photo: Richard Freeman/UNSW Sydney Years of planning NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe releases a platypus on the banks of the Hacking river. The iconic platypus, known for its unique mammalian features including their duck-like bill, venomous spur in the male and egg-laying ability, is one of five species of monotremes only found in Australia. The platypuses were collected with licensing approved by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment from southern NSW in locations that support thriving populations of platypuses. Read more: Platypuses likely gone from Royal National Park, but they may come back “Translocation is just one conservation measure that can help ensure the survival of NSW species such as platypus against climate change.” ![]() “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. The work that has gone into this project to get to the point of releasing these platypuses is essential to assure the security of these species into the future,” Ms Sharpe said. “The iconic platypus is under immense pressure. Penny Sharpe, Minister for the Environment, said the reintroduction of platypus to Royal National Park would re-establish a self-sustaining and genetically-diverse platypus population. First proposed by UNSW ecologists three years ago, the plan will see a total of six female and four male platypuses released at the same location, bringing the founding population in the Royal National Park (RNP) to a total of 10.
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