San Diego Zoo Safari Park Platypus at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

How hard are platypus to acquire for Australian zoos, MRJ? If you wanted to build a platypus exhibit at Moonlight would there be animals available, or is it a pretty closed system limited to the zoos that already have them?

 

Most animals in Australian zoos are wild caught, I am not aware of any inter-zoo transfers. It would be very difficult for us to acquire them that way as our local wildlife authorities are down on taking anything from the wild, while states where this is easier are unlikely to allow an interstate zoo to take them. We would therefore be reliant on a zoo breeding them for us, this is perhaps more possible as Taronga and Healesville get better at breeding them.

 

Though I said this in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park News Thread.
“I could imagine the huge crowds lining up to see the Platypus, the platypus has been popular in recent popular culture like Agent P from "Phineas and Ferb" and unlike the one in the show, the platypuses at the safari park really do much and are active since they are nocturnal and the lightning switches the day and night cycle for visitors to see them in action. Hopefully in Season 2 of The Zoo: San Diego, there will be an episode highlighting the platypuses.”

 

I think the punctuation in the title should change from the three periods to an exclamation mark. We are no longer waiting and unsure, we are exited and amazed beyond belief!

 

"From rumor to surreality" might be more accurate.

 

This link has been posted on their social media accounts, basically gives a summary of everything, and that the platypuses are doing well.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park Platypus Gets a Checkup

 

This is a post by the keeper which includes habitat pictures.
My Mornings with Platypus

 

That habitat looks amazing and I can’t wait to see it this Wednesday! I don’t have the best camera but will attempt to do my damn best to get good photos of their home and themselves of course

 

Was able to see the platypuses in person and they didn’t disappoint! Will look through my gallery to see what I can upload, most of the photos are too dark due no flash photography allowed which is more than understandable. Only a handful may have come out okay and even can see most of their body, they enjoyed their home and were constantly looking for food or embracing the waterfall

 

How was the crowd?

 

It wasn’t too bad although there was always a crowd of about 13 to 15 people on average, was able to see them with a smaller group when I arrived at opening to the safari park

 

I uploaded a handful to the media page, I apologize for the not so good quality but I’m upgrading to a new camera setup next month They were so fun to watch, they brought joy to everyone who walked by to see them

 

I don’t know if this would be warranted but I’ll do a mini recap of what it was like there: there are a total of 3 pool areas, all connected via waterfalls and I believe tunnel systems. Was able to get some good photos from my phone of their habitat and despite appearing bright from what I uploaded, it’s a dark place and wouldn’t recommend for those who have impaired vision. Lights are placed along the rock walls and as well on the bottom of the pools, illuminating the platypus as they swim by. Logs were placed closer to the surface, allowing for them to rest when not swimming or wanting to pose for the camera. Tunnel systems are found along the rock walls, leading to their burrowing holes. Yabbies, one of their main source of nutrition, are found crawling around the exhibit. The platypuses loved their waterfalls, Eve in particular. Although not viewable from the public area, one of the volunteers mentioned to the visitors that they have an area behind called the Platio. The Platio is an area the platypuses can relax and have fun, as well as pick grassy vegetation to take back to their burrowing holes. Best recommendation would be to visit when the park opens due to slightly better lighting and less crowds