VA rare juvenile platypus has been admitted to Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital after being rescued from a river in northeastern New South.
The animal was discovered in the Upper Clarence region near Ewingar by a prospector fossicking in a river when the platypus floated downstream in front of him. Noticing the animal appeared weak, he retrieved it and transported it to a local wildlife rescuer affiliated with WIRES, who contacted the hospital.
Chief executive Stephen Van Mil collected the platypus using the hospital’s recently acquired support vehicle – a troop carrier funded through community crowdfunding – and transported it to the facility, established in 2020 as the region’s first all-species wildlife hospital.
Veterinarians Jackie Reed and Jana Schader provided initial assessment and treatment.
Platypus encounters are considered uncommon. As one of only two living monotreme species worldwide, the platypus is typically elusive, and veterinarians note that close contact with people can indicate illness or distress.
“We are so lucky to have such unique wildlife in Australia, and to treat this platypus – a species both fragile and resilient – was something very special,” Schader said. “[Following] World Wetlands Day, it’s a timely reminder of what is out there for us to preserve.”
Van Mil added that the admission was a rare milestone for the hospital.
“In over 11,000 patients admitted, this is the first platypus we’ve treated since our inception in 2020. It speaks to the skill and expertise required to manage the unique physiology and anatomy of Australia’s native wildlife.”
The platypus has since been transferred to David Fleay Wildlife Park for ongoing care, with the intention of releasing it back into its original habitat.
Wildlife Recovery Australia owns and operates Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital.
PHOTO: CRAIG PARRY PHOTOGRAPHY