Vic: Platypus born into captivity

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2001
Vic: Platypus born into captivity

MELBOURNE, April 18 AAP - A platypus born at Victoria's Healesville Sanctuary over
the Easter weekend is only the fourth to be bred in captivity.

Healesville Sanctuary, south-east of Melbourne, today announced the birth of the platypus,
which was born on Saturday and took his first swim on Monday.

Keepers said the baby - the third offspring of Koorina and N who produced twins in
1999 at the sanctuary - was "healthy, chubby, fluffy and friendly".

The zoo said the platypus, still unnamed, took to the water as "a perfect little natural",
floated and then dived confidently into the water.

The platypus swam for three hours, and was seen later approaching the water without
his mother, for a solo swim.

Healesville Sanctuary chief executive Laura Murnaw said the baby proved the sanctuary's
success in establishing a breeding pair in a captive habitat.

"This wonderful event is a tribute not only to the sanctuary but in particular to the
dedication and professional excellence of the animal husbandry staff involved", Ms Murnaw
said.

AAP stu/jlw/mjm

KEYWORD: PLATYPUS

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