Platypus rehab like you’ve never seen before.

Stage one of a new state-of-the-art Australian Platypus Conservation Centre (APCC) has opened at Healesville Sanctuary bolstering capacity to care for the iconic native species. With the mission to rehabilitate and return sick or injured Platypus to the wild, this $1 million centre includes nine connecting ponds of various depths and water flows, banks for burrowing and crystal clear water. Everything is specifically designed with Platypus in mind, so they maintain physical fitness while mimicking wild conditions to encourage natural behaviours. A four-tied pool can be separated into shallow areas catering for Platypuses with a range of health conditions. The sheltered area includes nest boxes for additional warmth and healing while the ponds are climate-controlled at 18 degrees. All the internal electrical wiring has been placed up high and shielded to account for electric dipole moment function (EDMF) because Platypus locate their prey using a unique sensory system in their bills. They have two types of receptors in the bill. Electro which detects tiny electrical currents emitted from muscle contractions from their prey (like a heartbeat), and mechano which can detect movements, vibrations and potentially water pressure. Researchers are still studying what else their bills can do. Zoos Victoria is a zoo-based conservation organisation, fighting for a future rich in wildlife. Learn more about our work at zoo.org.au