A platypus has its final health check at Taronga Wildlife Hospital before it returns to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Photo: ACT Government
A worker checks the platypus crates at Taronga Wildlife Hospital. Photo: ACT Government
A platypus is sedated for its final health check at Taronga Wildlife Hospital before it returns to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Photo: ACT Government
A platypus is tagged at Taronga Wildlife Hospital before it returns to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Photo: ACT Government
A platypus at its final health check at Taronga Wildlife Hospital before it returns to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Photo: ACT Government
A platypus still feels sleepy at Taronga Wildlife Hospital before it returns to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Photo: ACT Government
A platypus is checked at Taronga Wildlife Hospital before it returns to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Photo: ACT Government
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Photo: ACT Government
Ready to release the platypuses at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Photo: ACT Government
A platypus is released at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Photo: ACT Government
A platypus runs home at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Photo: ACT Government
A platypus reaches the water at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Photo: ACT Government
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Photo: ACT Government
UNSW Sydney researchers have started a platypus monitoring study after they returned three of the iconic creatures to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, near Canberra.
Scientists from UNSW, Taronga Conservation Society and Tidbinbilla last week released the platypuses implanted with tracking devices.
The platypuses were among a group which Taronga Zoo temporarily rehomed in late December because their waterways had dried up during extreme drought.
In the months since, rain renewed their ponds, enabling the platypuses to return home. Three more tagged platypuses will be released in coming weeks provided conditions are good.
But researchers fear that more rescue missions will be required in future to save platypus populations from drying rivers because of the threat of climate change.