Sad find in river highlights 'urgent' Aussie crisis: 'Heartbreaking'
Almost every week instances surface that highlight how our waste, and in particular plastic, is harming some of our most vulnerable species.
Western Sydney University on Friday warned NSW anglers to always clean up after themselves after the platypus was found entangled in fishing line in the Nepean River at Penrith this week. Tragically, it's the fourth platypus found by the university to have died in the area in just 18 months.
Dr Michelle Ryan and PhD candidate Katherine Warwick from the university's School of Science have urged the community to understand the impact of improperly discarded fishing gear along riverbanks.
"This platypus was found at Penrith Weir, a very popular recreational fishing location on the Nepean River. The platypus was found in the water, but entangled in fishing line," she told Yahoo News Australia.
"These deaths are preventable. If you are fishing by the river, take all your fishing line with you, put it in a bin on your way out or at home and don't leave anything on the bank. If you are walking and see rubbish, especially discarded fishing line pick it up. Leave nothing but footprints!"
Ryan said the uniquely Australian monotreme is already extremely vulnerable.
"With the local platypus population already under immense pressure, losing them to preventable causes is a heartbreaking and urgent crisis," Ryan said.
Warwick said the animal found this week had drowned after being wrapped in more than two metres of line. "This platypus, a male, less than two years old, was found near Penrith Weir, drowned, entangled in over two metres of fishing line," she said. "Platypuses become entangled... as they search for food along the edge of waterways.
"Fishing line can cut through skin and muscle, causing a slow, painful death, or as was the case of this platypus, an entangled platypus can drown after they become caught on underwater debris."
Penrith City Council is working to enhance habitats throughout the LGA to boost platypus populations. This includes habitat restoration efforts and, in collaboration with OZFish Australia, the installation of Tangle Bins at popular fishing spots along the Nepean River to make it easier for anglers to dispose of used tackle, Ryan said.
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"Clean Up Australia Day [on Sunday] is a great chance for people to visit their local creeks and collect litter, including fishing line. There are several clean-up events along the Hawkesbury-Nepean River you can join. Your efforts could help save a platypus's life," she added.
On Wednesday, a Western Australian marine biologist urged the public to be mindful of their plastic consumption, after heartbreaking footage showed a dolphin with 'line' tightly wrapped around its tail, cutting deep into its flesh.
Last week, volunteers in South Australia captured photos of a bird's nest made using wire left from past farming ventures. The Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC) said it's far from an uncommon occurrence.
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