To facilitate breeding and rehabilitation, Australian conservationists have recently announced plans to build the world’s first sanctuary for the platypus.
Unfortunately, the duck-billed platypus, which is an indigenous species in Australia, is facing a threat of extinction due to loss of habitat from bush fires and drought. According to various sources, over the last three decades, platypus habitats have shrunk by up to 22 per cent, or about 200,000 square kilometres.
The Taronga Conservation Society Australia in collaboration with the New South Wales State government will open this facility at a zoo 391 kilometres from Sydney by 2022. This facility, which will consists of ponds and burrows, will be able to house up to 65 platypuses.
“There is so much to learn about the platypus and we know so little,” Taronga CEO Cameron Kerr told reporters.
“These facilities will be critical in building our knowledge so that we don’t let this iconic creature slip off the earth,” he said.
The platypus is currently categorized as endangered in South Australia and is recommended to threatened status in Victoria.
