More rewilding projects

Rewilding Adelaide: Bringing platypus back to the Torrens

A bold rewilding project to bring platypus back to the River Torrens is being investigated to reintroduce this iconic threatened species to mainland South Australia.

Green Adelaide will lead the development of a ‘Bringing Platypus Back to the River Torrens Scoping Study’ with input from key organisations, platypus researchers and councils to better understand the possibility of bringing platypus back to the Torrens. 

The scoping study will help to identify areas along the River Torrens for potential reintroduction, population sources, and will involve a platypus reintroduction risk analysis.

The platypus is an umbrella species, and a successful reintroduction to the Torrens means a healthy waterway, with benefits for other species like long-neck turtles and rakali (native water rats).

This potential reintroduction is a vital and exciting next step in continuing the improvement of the River Torrens. It also forms part of Adelaide’s push to become a National Park City.

The scoping study will take about six months to develop.

(Banner image courtesy of PlatypusSPOT)

Learn more

Background

Platypuses have been considered extinct on mainland South Australia since the mid-1970s. They are now found on Kangaroo Island, with some encouraging sightings in the Riverland during the 1990s, and more recently in 2018.

There are records of platypuses living along the River Torrens in the early 1800s and it is a missing vital part of the River Torrens ecosystem.

Platypuses are listed as a threatened species in Australia, and are a unique creature with a bill like a duck, a tail like a beaver, otter-like fur, webbed feet – and it lays eggs.

Get involved

As the project progresses, we will be encouraging the formation of a Friends of the River Torrens Platypus Community Group and a Platypus Fund.

Businesses, the community, universities and government will be encouraged to donate and further this important work to re-wild the River Torrens.

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News and blogs

How bringing platypus back to the River Torrens could be the next step in rewilding Adelaide

Why focus on the platypus? Why the River Torrens? Here’s everything you need to know.

How bringing platypus back to the River Torrens could be the next step in rewilding Adelaide - Green Adelaide

Bringing platypus back to the River Torrens

A new rewilding project to bring platypus back to the River Torrens has been launched, as part of Adelaide’s push to become a National Park City.

Bringing platypus back to the River Torrens - Green Adelaide
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