Three platypuses that were moved to NSW’s Taronga Zoo during the bushfire season have returned to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, kicking off a new tracking study partnership.
Minister for Environment and Heritage, Mick Gentleman said Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Taronga Zoo and the University of NSW (UNSW) had teamed up on a research project to better understand the movements and behaviours of platypuses.
“We are extremely grateful to Taronga Zoo and UNSW for helping Tidbinbilla staff evacuate platypus from the Reserve’s water depleted ponds late last year and I’m pleased to see this working partnership continue,” Mr Gentleman said.
“Recent rainfall has since filled the waterways and ponds at the Reserve and the platypus can now return to thrive in their natural environment,” he said.
“The platypus…were tagged with tracking devices during their stay at Taronga, with three more tagged platypus to be released in the weeks to come.”
Mr Gentleman said the project would provide never-before-studied insights into the habitat use, behaviour, and interactions of platypuses over an extensive time period.
“It’s great to see Tidbinbilla, Taronga and UNSW turning this summer’s devastating weather events into a significant opportunity for collaboration and research,” he said.
He said Tidbinbilla and other parks throughout the Canberra region were continuing to recover from the very challenging summer.
“Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve remains closed for public safety in response to COVID-19 and we are also working to repair damage from bushfire and floods,” Mr Gentleman said.
