Plan to re-introduce platypuses into the rivers of the Royal National Park

PLANS are underway to re-introduce platypuses to the rivers of the Royal National Park.

Researchers from University of NSW Sydney have confirmed the likely disappearance of platypuses from the Royal National Park, based on results of recent environmental DNA (eDNA).

The eDNA surveys – which use DNA found in water samples to paint a picture of the different animals living in the local environment – found traces of as much as 250 land and water species in the park’s Hacking River and Kangaroo Creek.

Unfortunately – as feared – none of these samples showed signs of local platypus life. But that may soon change with plans to reintroduce platypuses later this year.

Dr Gilad Bino, leading the project from UNSW’s Centre for Ecosystem Science (CES), says platypuses once inhabited the rivers of the Royal National Park, but none have been seen there in decades.

“We’re hoping to change that later this year by reintroducing a founding population of 10 platypuses to the park,” Dr Bino said.

“Our hope is that they will establish in the area and increase.”

The platypus reintroduction is a project led by researchers from UNSW’s Platypus Conservation Initiative at the Centre for Ecosystem Science (CES), in collaboration with WWF-Australia, Taronga Conservation Society, and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The conservation project aims to reintroduce platypuses to the Royal National Park as early as August 2022.

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,” says Dr Bino.

Rewilding this iconic mammal

Platypuses are one of Australia’s most iconic mammals, but sadly, they’re currently listed as a near-threatened species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

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.”

Next, the team will continue scoping robust populations of platypus across NSW from which animals could be sourced for reintroduction into areas where they once thrived.

With the support of animal health staff from Taronga Zoo, platypuses will be fitted with miniature tags to track their movements and establishment in the park for up to two years after their release.

The team is working with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service closely in terms of the potential timing of this release.

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