A stroll along the beach is often interesting but a local resident couldn't believe his eyes last Thursday when he saw a small furry animal on the water's edge. On closer inspection he discovered it was a platypus puggle (baby).
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Platypus live in freshwater and it was likely the puggle had been washed out of its habitat in the floodwaters.
The little platypus was carefully picked up and placed into an open esky before WIRES volunteer Janine Green from WIRES Far South East branch was contacted.
Janine collected the orphaned youngster which seemed subdued but with no obvious injuries and weighed in at just 350 grams.
She immediately prepared a makeshift freshwater 'pool' where the young male had a swim and was then placed in a makeshift burrow.
Janine said that he was very much the youngster, enjoying the pool and then having a nap.
She reported the rescue to NPWS and Taronga zoo and was advised to start feeding specialised food to the puggle.
After monitoring his health for the next 48 hours and in consultation with Taronga Zoo vets and National Parks and Wildlife Service it was decided to transport him to the Taronga Zoo for ongoing health checks and observation.
As luck would have it WIRES Sydney vet nurse Luci Clark was in Canberra in the WIRES Emergency Rescue van and was able to divert and pick the platypus from Janine for the six hour trip to Taronga Zoo.
When this lucky young platypus makes a full recovery he will come back to the area near where he was found for release back into the wild - watch this space!
