Have you seen this platypus? Missing marsupial leads to manhunt after two commuters were caught on CCTV carrying the unique Aussie animal in a blanket on a train
- Police looking for missing platypus
- Animal reportedly taken from the wild
- Platypus seen wrapped in towel on a train
Police are looking for a platypus taken from its natural habitat on Tuesday morning.
The animal is said to have been taken from the wild around 11am in the Moreton district of Queensland.
Two people are believed to have boarded a train at Morayfield station with the animal wrapped in a towel, patted on it and shown to fellow commuters.
Two people are believed to have boarded a train at Morayfield station with the animal wrapped in a towel, patted on it and shown to fellow commuters
The pair are believed to be heading to Caboolture.
The Department of Environment and Science and Queensland Police are urging the animal to be handed over to veterinary or police station staff as soon as possible out of concern for its welfare.
The platypus can get sick, get sick, or die the longer it is out of its natural environment.
Police have urged anyone who comes into contact with it not to feed it or introduce it into a new environment.
The Department of Environment and Science and the Queensland Police are urging that the animal be handed over to veterinary or police station staff as soon as possible.
“It may also have toxic spores that can significantly injure people and animals,” a police spokesman said.
Platypus venom is not lethal to humans, but it causes extreme pain.
Police have reminded the public that illegally capturing and keeping a platypus from the wild is a Class 1 offense under Section 88 of the Nature Conservation Act 1992, which carries a maximum penalty of $431,250.
Anonymous reports can be made via Policelink on 131 444.