An Overview of Mortality and Survivorship of Platypuses at Healesville Sanctuary Since 1978.

Abstract

There appears to be a high degree of uncertainty associated with the mortality of platypuses housed in captive environments. While the husbandry and veterinary records indicate a high number of platypus deaths at Healesville Sanctuary, they do not clearly differentiate between those which have been housed for display purposes and those animals which were donated by members of the public or the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, after being found in an ill or distressed state in the wild. This report attempts to dispel the myth associated with the captive husbandry of platypuses by reviewing the histories of all platypuses on record at Healesville Sanctuary from 1978 - 1996. Out of 28 platypuses, 2 have died while being maintained as part of the collection, 15 died after being admitted in a weak or traumatised state, 5 were released back to the wild and 6 still remain in captivity as display or breeding/research stock. Mortalities of platypuses are discussed and the survivorship of platypuses housed in captivity, as well as those released back to the wild, is highlighted.