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Australia building world’s first platypus sanctuary

Australia Melbourne platypus Milsom

Sydney, Australia Reuters Australian conservationists on Wednesday unveiled plans to build the world’s first refuge for the platypus, to promote breeding and rehabilitation as the duck-billed mammal faces extinction due to climate change. The Taronga Conservation Society Australia and the New South Wales State Government said they would build the specialist facility, mostly ponds and […]

Drying habitat makes Australia’s platypus vulnerable, scientists say

Australia Melbourne Zoo platypus

Sydney, Australia Reuters Australian scientists pushed on Monday to list the platypus as a vulnerable species after a report showed the habitat of the semi-aquatic native mammal had shrunk more than a fifth in the last 30 years. Severe drought brought by climate change, land clearing for farming and dam-building are to blame, said researchers […]

Scientists urge more protection for platypus in Australian state

Platypus Millsom Melbourne

Sydney, Australia Reuters Australian scientists have called for the platypus to be listed as a vulnerable species in Victoria state, after research found dwindling numbers of the semi-aquatic mammal because of loss of habitat and a warming climate.  Ecologist Joshua Griffiths, who supervised the collection of data that led to the recommendation by a scientific […]

Australia’s platypus fights for survival amid prolonged drought

Australian drought platypus

Sydney, Australia Reuters Australia’s platypus is under severe stress as the continent’s prolonged drought dries up river beds, leaving one of the world’s most peculiar animals fighting for its existence, scientists say. The intensity of Australia’s three-year drought on top of other factors such as land clearing, dam construction and climate change is worsening the […]