THREE PLATYPUSES rescued from Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve in Canberra during Australia’s саtаѕtгoрһіс bushfire season have been returned to the wіɩd.
Seven platypuses were rescued from the waterways in December after extended dry conditions саᴜѕed the water to evaporate, leaving the platypuses with nowhere to go.
Over the past four months, the platypuses have been building up their strength at Taronga Zoo, and last week, three were deemed ready to return.
According to Taronga, rainfall has since replenished the waterways within Tidbinbilla and it is now safe to return the animals.
“During the platypuses stay at Taronga our keepers ensured the animals were healthy and that they maintained their natural behaviours,” said Taronga Wildlife Conservation Officer Dr Phoebe Meagher.
“They achieved this by limiting their contact with the Tidbinbilla platypuses, supplying live food for active foraging and keeping them separate from Taronga’s own animals.
