HEALESVILLE SANCTUARY

The flow of Coranderrk Creek can be heard as it babbles its way around bends and under bridges through the heart of Healesville Sanctuary. A mysterious monotreme calls this creek home and its wild population has been studied in this habitat for more than 10 years.

Specialist Platypus Keeper Jess has been surveying Coranderrk Creek as part of her PhD thesis. Many aspects of platypus reproduction are poorly understood, due to their cryptic, nocturnal, burrowing and semi-aquatic behaviour, which makes studies in the wild difficult. Jess has pieced together part of the platypus puzzle, examining

Marvellous monotremes

Healesville Sanctuary’s Specialist Platypus Keeper

different behavioural stages of their reproductive cycle, nesting behaviours and seasonal energy intake, as well as how juveniles use the habitat during the period after they first emerge.

Since 2012, Jess has tracked 28 platypus within the creek – 10 males and 18 females.

“I am trying to figure out platypus family dynamics: who is mum, dad, brothers and sisters, and where platypus use a creek in relation to where their family is,” she says. “The study will inform how to better pair the animals that call Healesville Sanctuary home and how long juveniles should stay with their mums.” ZN her studies.

THE FURRY PLATYPUS is a unique, somewhat solitary mammal found in water with vegetation that is good for burrowing. When swimming, its eyes and ears are closed, while its leather bill detects electrical impulses from their prey. Male platypuses have a venomous spur on the inside of their hind leg.

Jess recalls the erratic behaviour of one platypus she was tracking.

See For Yourself

“I first spotted this juvenile male outside the Spirits of the Sky arena. I remember tracking him and he was all over the place. He was downstream, then went all the way upstream one night, then he went into the Wetlands aviary, slept on the back of the Koala Picnic Area in a drain one night, and came out during the day a lot as well.”

He has now grown big and healthy, and become the resident adult male of the area.

Keep an eye out for some of the wild animals that choose to reside with us on your next visit to Melbourne Zoo, Kyabram Fauna Park, Healesville Sanctuary or Werribee Open Range Zoo.

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Each year, the Australian Wildlife Health Centre at Healesville Sanctuary treats thousands of wild animals, as well as managing the health of every animal that calls the Sanctuary home. The hospital’s specialist veterinary team conducts cutting-edge research and plays an important role in wildlife disease surveillance.

While the centre continues to work with wildlife, a new visitor experience is being created behind the scenes. A new visitor centre will enable stories of wildlife patient care to be shared with our members and visitors through exciting new interactive technology and face-to face experiences.

This July, we’re inviting you to treat your senses at Wine & Wildlife, and in doing so, help support the crucial work of the Australian Wildlife Health Centre. Featuring world-class Yarra

Valley wines in a stunning natural setting, Healesville Sanctuary will be dotted with stalls from wineries, craft breweries and a non-alcoholic distillery. Cosy up by the fire with some warming food while enjoying live music and the natural soundscape of the Sanctuary. Sip and explore your surroundings, as you discover the unique wildlife that calls the Sanctuary home.

The ticket cost for attending Wine & Wildlife contributes towards funding the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, so we can continue to lend our expertise to rescue, treat and rehabilitate injured wildlife. Celebrating the conservation work of the zoos and the health of our precious Australian native wildlife is all part of the joy when you attend this special annual event. ZN

Book Now

Mark the weekend of July 22 and 23 in your diary. We invite you to enjoy the best the Yarra Valley has to offer, while helping our wildlife thrive. Members have exclusive early access to tickets before they go on sale to the public. Get in early to avoid disappointment. To learn more: Click here