The survival of platypus in captivity: a reappraisal with recommendations for veterinary management and future research [Ornithorhynchus anatinus]
1993
Serena, M. | Williams, G.A. (Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville (Australia))
Data are presented on the duration of survival of platypus held in the collections of the 5 Australian zoos displaying the species over the period 1987-1991. Of 10 living platypus, 5 had survived for 7 or more years. Similarly, of 10 captive animals that died during the period, 6 had survived for 6 or more years. Five purpose-caught animals were integrated into captive collections over the period; all of these were alive at the end of 1991. The high survival of captive platypus documented in this study contrasts with an earlier one by Whittington (1991). This primarily reflects differences in the nature of the two sets of data: Whittington's analysis was based on incomplete records dating back to 1934, and also categorised as 'managed in captivity' those wild platypus that died at zoos while under veterinary care. A series of recommendations on current captive management issues includes the need for improved veterinary knowledge of platypus
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