Platypuses Return to Royal National Park

Why this is here: Researchers have confirmed the presence of four juvenile platypuses within the Royal National Park, indicating successful breeding after the reintroduction program began.

Gilad Bino and his team released four adult platypuses into the Royal National Park in New South Wales, Australia this week. The platypuses—two males named Ducky and Absinthe, and two females named Hydra and Dawn—originated from the Central Tablelands and Southern Highlands. This re-homing increases the park’s platypus population to at least 20 animals, over fifty years after an oil spill caused their local disappearance.

The project began in 2023 and has already seen the release of 17 platypuses, with the discovery of four juvenile platypuses during surveys. One adult male died after being trampled by a deer. Researchers are tracking the animals with acoustic devices, though battery life has proven shorter than expected, lasting about 18 months.

The team will release a final three platypuses into the Hacking River next year. Despite signs of successful breeding, monitoring the long-term survival and establishment of the population remains a challenge.