For the first time in fifty years, platypus have been reintroduced to Sydney’s Royal National Park through a state-first translocation program. Five female platypus were released in the park and will be joined by four males once they establish their territory. The platypus were relocated from southern New South Wales to promote genetic diversity and were fitted with transmitters after undergoing veterinary checks at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo. The joint program between the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, UNSW Sydney, and World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia aims to create a self-sustaining and genetically diverse platypus population. Platypus are at risk due to habitat destruction, fragmentation, and climate change. The CEO of Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Cameron Kerr, noted that platypus were particularly vulnerable to the impact of drought and environmental change. If the decline continues, Australia risks losing platypus species forever. The UNSW’s Centre for Ecosystem Science added that the translocation program was also aimed at restoring balance to the ecosystem.