Platypus of Australia under threat from climate change

Australia’s devastating drought, and other effects of climate change are pushing the iconic duck-billed platypus, a globally unique mammal, towards extinction. Platypuses were once considered widespread across the eastern Australian mainland and Tasmania, although not a lot is known about their distribution or abundance because of the species’ secretive and nocturnal nature.

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The semi aquatic egg-laying mammal was earlier widespread across the eastern Australian mainland and Tasmania. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recently downgraded the platypus’ conservation status to the Near Threatened category in the Red List. Platypus is vulnerable to pollution and climate change.