Ten platypuses were re-introduced into the park in May 2024, in the hopes of re-starting the local population that has been extinct for decades. Video via AAP.
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00:00 So last year we collected 10 platypus and we held them at Taronga so that we could look
00:07 after them, their health care and we could also implant trackers before we released them
00:11 back here at the Royal National Park.
00:13 When the platypus first came to Taronga we kept them in a purpose built platypus facility.
00:18 It was able to hold 10 platypus with both water and terrestrial components.
00:23 Yeah so platypuses are very elusive and they have quite an expansive range.
00:28 They can forage in areas of about a 1 to 2 kilometres so it's quite challenging to actually
00:32 catch platypuses.
00:33 You can track these platypus up and down the river for up to 3 years.
00:38 We understand where they're moving and even what other platypuses they're communicating
00:43 and hanging out with.
00:44 This post release survey has been really important to understand how the platypus are doing,
00:50 where they're staying and more importantly have they been breeding successfully in the
00:54 park.
00:55 The platypus are doing well, the rest of the park is doing well and it just means that
00:58 platypus will be able to thrive here.
01:00 But we learn so much through these programs about what it means further out in the wild
01:05 and how we look after platypus into the future.
01:07 What we learn here is applicable all across New South Wales.