A University of New South Wales research team sets a fyke net to conduct a platypus population survey in a creek near Bobin, Australia, April 7, 2021. Picture taken with drone on April 7, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott 

Dr. Gilad Bino, an ecologist from the University of New South Wales, sets a fyke net to conduct a platypus population survey in a creek near Bobin, Australia, April 7, 2021. Picture taken April 7, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott 

A University of New South Wales research team sets a fyke net to conduct a platypus population survey in a creek near Bobin, Australia, April 7, 2021. Picture taken April 7, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott 

A University of New South Wales research team sets a fyke net to conduct a platypus population survey in a creek near Bobin, Australia, April 7, 2021. Picture taken April 7, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott 

A University of New South Wales research team sets a fyke net to conduct a platypus population survey in a creek near Bobin, Australia, April 7, 2021. Picture taken with drone on April 7, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott 

Dr. Tahneal Hawke (L) and Dana Lanceman, members of a University of New South Wales research team, check a fyke net while conducting a platypus population survey in a creek near Bobin, Australia, April 8, 2021. Picture taken April 8, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott 

Dr. Gilad Bino, an ecologist from the University of New South Wales, sets a fyke net to conduct a platypus population survey in a creek near Bobin, Australia, April 7, 2021. Picture taken April 7, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott 

A University of New South Wales research team sets a fyke net to conduct a platypus population survey in a creek near Bobin, Australia, April 8, 2021. Picture taken with a drone on April 8, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott 

Dr. Gilad Bino, an ecologist from the University of New South Wales, conducts field research on a captured platypus near Byabarra, Australia, April 12, 2021. Picture taken April 12, 2021. REUTERS/James Redmayne 

Dr. Tahneal Hawke, a research assistant from the University of New South Wales, checks a fyke net while conducting a platypus population survey in a creek near Bobin, Australia, April 7, 2021. Picture taken April 7, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott 

Dr. Tahneal Hawke, a research assistant from the University of New South Wales, prepares to set a fyke net to conduct a platypus population survey in a creek near Bobin, Australia, April 8, 2021. Picture taken April 8, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott 

Dr. Tahneal Hawke, a research assistant from the University of New South Wales, sets a fyke net to conduct a platypus population survey in a creek near Bobin, Australia, April 8, 2021. Picture taken April 8, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott 

A University of New South Wales research team sets a mesh net to conduct a platypus population survey in a creek near Bobin, Australia, April 8, 2021. Picture taken April 8, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott 

Dr. Gilad Bino, an ecologist from the University of New South Wales, conducts field research on a captured platypus near Byabarra, Australia, April 12, 2021. Picture taken April 12, 2021. REUTERS/James Redmayne 

Dr. Gilad Bino, an ecologist from the University of New South Wales, conducts field research on a captured platypus near Byabarra, Australia, April 12, 2021. Picture taken April 12, 2021. REUTERS/James Redmayne 

A platypus captured by a University of New South Wales research team is seen during fieldwork to collect population data near Byabarra, Australia, April 12, 2021. Picture taken April 12, 2021. REUTERS/James Redmayne 

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama looks at Perry the Platypus from the children's TV show "Phineas and Ferb", during a "Let's Move!" faith and communities physical activity at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports
in Orlando, Florida February 11, 2012. The first lady is concluding a three-day trip to mark the second anniversary of her "Let's Move" initiative.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT) 

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama laughs next to Perry the Platypus from the children's TV show "Phineas and Ferb", during a "Let's Move!" faith and communities physical activity at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports
in Orlando, Florida February 11, 2012. The first lady is concluding a three-day trip to mark the second anniversary of her "Let's Move" initiative.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT) 

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama dances the "platypus walk" with Perry the Platypus from the children's TV show "Phineas and Ferb", during a "Let's Move!" faith and communities physical activity at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports
in Orlando, Florida February 11, 2012. The first lady is concluding a three-day trip to mark the second anniversary of her "Let's Move" initiative.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT) 

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama (C) dances the "platypus walk" next to Perry the Platypus, and Disney actors Debby Ryan and Rosero McCoy (R) during a "Let's Move!" faith and communities physical activity at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports
in Orlando, Florida February 11, 2012. The first lady is concluding a three-day trip to mark the second anniversary of her "Let's Move" initiative.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama dances the "platypus walk" with Perry the Platypus from the children's TV show "Phineas and Ferb" during a "Let's Move!" faith and communities physical activity at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports
in Orlando, Florida February 11, 2012. The first lady is concluding a three-day trip to mark the second anniversary of her "Let's Move" initiative.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT) 

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama stands with Perry the Platypus from the children's TV show "Phineas and Ferb" during a "Let's Move!" faith and communities physical activity at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports
in Orlando, Florida February 11, 2012. The first lady is concluding a three-day trip to mark the second anniversary of her "Let's Move" initiative.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES - Tags: HEALTH POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT) 

An adult male platypus named Millsom being handled by his keeper at an animal sanctuary in Melbourne May 8, 2008. Australia's unique duck-billed platypus,an egg-laying, furry animal with web feet that spends most of its time underwater, is in fact part bird, part reptile and part mammal according to its gene map. A team of international scientists released the playtpus genome on Thursday, saying its complex gene sequence will aid the study of human evolution, particularly the development of the immune, nervous and reproductive systems.
REUTERS/Mick Tsikas (AUSTRALIA) 

An adult male platypus named Millsom is carried by his keeper at an animal sanctuary in Melbourne May 8, 2008. Australia's unique duck-billed platypus,an egg-laying, furry animal with web feet that spends most of its time underwater, is in fact part bird, part reptile and part mammal according to its gene map. A team of international scientists released the playtpus genome on Thursday, saying its complex gene sequence will aid the study of human evolution, particularly the development of the immune, nervous and reproductive systems.
REUTERS/Mick Tsikas (AUSTRALIA) 

An adult male platypus named Millsom is carried by his keeper at an animal sanctuary in Melbourne May 8, 2008. Australia's unique duck-billed platypus,an egg-laying, furry animal with web feet that spends most of its time underwater, is in fact part bird, part reptile and part mammal according to its gene map. A team of international scientists released the playtpus genome on Thursday, saying its complex gene sequence will aid the study of human evolution, particularly the development of the immune, nervous and reproductive systems.
REUTERS/Mick Tsikas (AUSTRALIA) 

A photograph of the 'Pete the Platypus', the statuette which award winners will be presented with at the inaugural Australia Video Music Awards (AVMAs) in Sydney. 'Pete the Platypus', the statuette which award winners will be presented at the inaugural Australia Video Music Awards (AVMAs), is seen in Sydney March 2, 2005. The statuette, carrying a surfboard and wearing flip flops, is modelled on a native Australian egg-laying marsupial, the duck-billed platypus which lives in creeks, streams and rivers REUTERS/Will Burgess 

'Pete the Platypus', the statuette which award winners will be presented at the inaugural Australia Video Music Awards (AVMAs), is seen in Sydney March 2, 2005. The statuette, carrying a surfboard and wearing flip flops, is modelled on a native Australian egg-laying marsupial, the duck-billed platypus which lives in creeks, streams and rivers 

Australian swimming sensation Ian Thorpe smiles with a platypus, mascot for the Australia Pavilion for the upcoming 2005 World Exposition, in Aichi, Japan, during a naming ceremony for the mascot at the Australian embassy in Tokyo November 5, 2004. The platypus was named Kamone in a naming competition where Thorpe made a special guest appearance. REUTERS/Noboru Hashimoto ES/FA 

Syd the platypus (L), Millie the echidna (C) and Olly the kookaburra, The Sydney 2000 Olympic Mascots, pose with a Japanese journalist at the Main Press Centre at Olympic Park, September 12, 2000. The mascots were created by Australian animator Matthew Hatton. The Games of the XXVII Olympiad begin on September 15. 

Syd the platypus, Millie the echidna and Olly the kookaburra, the Sydney 2000 Olympic Mascots pose with volunteers at the Main Press Centre at Olympic Park, September 12, 2000. The mascots were created by Australian animator Matthew Hatton. The Games of the XXVII Olympiad begin on Septeber 15. 

Syd the platypus, Millie the echidna and Olly the kookaburra, the Sydney 2000 Olympic Mascots pose with volunteers at the Main Press Centre at Olympic Park, September 12, 2000. The mascots were created by Australian animator Matthew Hatton. The Games of the XXVII Olympiad begin on Septeber 15.

CP 

Syd the platypus (L), Millie the echidna (C) and Olly the kookaburra, The Sydney 2000 Olympic Mascots, pose with a Japanese journalist at the Main Press Centre at Olympic Park, September 12, 2000. The mascots were created by Australian animator Matthew Hatton. The Games of the XXVII Olympiad begin on September 15.

CP/JDP 

Keepers in charge of platypus, Fisk (L) and Norm hold on to baby "Y" and baby "X" respectively before releasing the twins into a specially built exhibit at the Healesville Sanctuary southeast of Melbourne June 10. The two territorial nocturnal males will be separated by plexiglass in a bid to stop conflicts in the display which recreates a night time environment for the rare monotremes unique to Australia. A national naming competition will give all Australians a chance to name the special creatures.

WB/TAN 

One of two duck-billed platypus born in Melbourne's Healesville Sanctuary is seen swimming on May 6. The platypus, a mostly nocturnal and rare egg-laying mammal indigenous to Australia, has been the subject of a captive breeding programme at the Healesville Sanctuary in a bid to boost dwindling numbers in the wild. The furry Australian mammal is so temperamental. There are only about 20 in Australian zoos and none in captivity elsewhere in the world.
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Veterinarian Rosemary Booth examines on May 6 the x-ray of one of the two duck-billed platypus born in Melbourne's Healesville Sanctuary. The platypus, a mostly nocturnal and rare egg-laying mammal indigenous to Australia, has been the subject of a captive breeding programme at the Healesville Sanctuary in a bid to boost dwindling numbers in the wild. The furry Australian mammal is so temperamental there are only about 20 in Australian zoos and none in captivity elsewhere in the world.
??» 

One of two duck-billed platypus born in Melbourne's Healesville Sanctuary is seen swimming on May 6. The platypus, a mostly nocturnal and rare egg-laying mammal indigenous to Australia, has been the subject of a captive breeding programme at the Healesville Sanctuary in a bid to boost dwindling numbers in the wild. The furry Australian mammal is so temperamental. There are only about 20 in Australian zoos and none in captivity elsewhere in the world.

CC 

Veterinarian Rosemary Booth examines on May 6 the x-ray of one of the two duck-billed platypus born in Melbourne's Healesville Sanctuary. The platypus, a mostly nocturnal and rare egg-laying mammal indigenous to Australia, has been the subject of a captive breeding programme at the Healesville Sanctuary in a bid to boost dwindling numbers in the wild. The furry Australian mammal is so temperamental there are only about 20 in Australian zoos and none in captivity elsewhere in the world.

TAN 

Zookeepers display April 12 a pair of twin duck-billed platypuses born in captivity at Melbourne's Healesville Sanctuary. The sanctuary, which last week announced the first birth in captivity of a duck-billed platypus since 1944, later discovered the male baby had a twin brother. Platypuses, which live in waterways in eastern Australia, are considered threatened but not yet in danger of extinction. 

Italian writer Umberto Eco touches a preserved duckbilled platypus which is the title of his new book after a ceremony in Berlin November 16. Eco received the honorary doctorate of the Berlin Free University.

FAB/ME 

Australian authorities dock the vessel "UNIANA" along side the HMAS Platypus Naval Base in Sydney October 15. The vessel was involved in Australia's biggest ever heroin haul on October 14, with an estimated 400 kilograms of the drug,worth around A$400 million ($252 million) in a dawn raid on a secluded beach near Port Macquarie located about 300 kilometres (185miles) north of Sydney. Customs officials will be carrying out a further search of the "UNIANA".

JP/TAN 

Alex Rigano from the Sydney Aquarium centre watches a native Australian Platypus swim around a new enclosure December 23. The centre is hoping with the new soundproof tank, it can successfully breed the rare and threatened species. The platypus and Australian echidna are the only "monotremes" in the world, being mammals which lay eggs like birds and reptiles. 

Alex Rigano from the Sydney Aquarium centre watches a native Australian Platypus swim around a new enclosure December 23. The centre is hoping with the new soundproof tank, it can successfully breed the rare and threatened species. The platypus and Australian echidna are the only "monotremes" in the world, being mammals which lay eggs like birds and reptiles.

AUSTRALIA 

Factory workers Anne Campbell (L) and Teresa Zipparo add the final stitches to the offical Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Mascots, (L to R) Olly the kookaburra, Millie the echidna and Syd the platypus, at a factory in Sydney, September 11. The mascots, which went on sale in Sydney today, will be sold nationally in the next two weeks. 

Factory workers Anne Campbell (L) and Teresa Zipparo add the final stitches to the offical Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Mascots, (L to R) Olly the kookaburra, Millie the echidna and Syd the platypus, at a factory in Sydney, September 11. The mascots, which went on sale in Sydney today, will be sold nationally in the next two weeks.

AUSTRALIA 

A Platypus aged just over five months, is fed by a handler at the Taronga Zoo Wildlife Clinic in Sydney April 3. This baby Platypus was admitted to the zoo after being attacked by a dog, suffering from a broken leg, dislocated hip, broken ribs and shock. According to staff, it will soon be well enough to be released back into the wild. The Platypus is a rare egg-laying mammal, found only in Australia