The astounding, bewildering, breathtaking monotreme the platypus will soon be returned to the Royal National Park north of Wollongong after scientists confirmed it was no longer to be found there.
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DNA testing on water samples was used by researchers from the University of NSW found traces of up to 250 animals living in the Hacking River and Kangaroo Creek, but none matched with the platypus.
"Platypuses once inhabited the rivers of the Royal National Park, but none have been seen there in decades," the UNSW Centre for Ecosystem Science's Dr Gilad Bino said.
"We're hoping to change that later this year by reintroducing a founding population of 10 platypuses to the park. Our hope is that they will establish in the area and increase."
The recent environmental surveys - made with support from volunteers of Friends of the Royal - have been the next step in ensuring the sites are suitable and safe for platypus reintroductions.
In addition to confirming platypuses no longer live in the park, the team evaluated the quality of the rivers, surveyed potential platypus food sources, and ensured that potential threats, like sedimentation, pollution, and foxes, wouldn't threaten new platypus populations.
Based on their findings, the researchers are optimistic the Royal National Park would be able to sustain new platypus populations.
"We found a healthy diversity of animal species during our surveys, including some sensitive species like spiny crayfish, which thrive in clear and flowing water environments," Dr Bino said.
A landmark assessment by UNSW scientists in 2020 found that the area of eastern Australia where platypuses live has shrunk by up to 22 per cent over the past 30 years, with key threats to their habitats including historic land clearing, river regulation, and extreme droughts.
But the latest platypus project is hoping to change that by mitigating threats, improving the management of the park's rivers, and hopefully reintroducing platypuses back into this environment later this year.
"We want to bring back platypuses to the parks and ensure that all freshwater species are thriving, not only in these areas but across Australia," Dr Bino said.
"We want people to enjoy Australia's beautiful natural environments and foster in everyone a desire for their preservation, including the iconic platypus."
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