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The platypus is not endangered. There was a time when it was under threat, being particularly prized for its fur years ago. The Australian Government lists the platypus as "common but vulnerable". The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the platypus as "least concern". Platypuses are now strictly protected by law.

The platypus is vulnerable because of habitat loss through deforestation, dams and irrigation projects. They have disappeared from South Australia. Tasmanian platypuses are subject to a disease caused by the fungus Mucor amphibiorum, which has fortunately not migrated to the mainland. Affected animals often develop skin lesions or ulcers, and the biggest threat to their survival arises from secondary infection. This can affect the platypus's ability to maintain body temperature and to hunt properly for food on the bottom of rivers and creeks.

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13y ago
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10y ago

Platypuses are not going extinct. The platypus, although found only in the country of Australia (which includes the island state of Tasmania) is not even endangered. It is not listed on the IUCN Redlist (endangered species list).

There was a time when the platypus was under threat, being particularly prized for its fur years ago. In the past it came closer to extinction but it now has protection by law in the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 1974 (from hunters and fishermen), and the population has grown back to a healthy size.

However, there are concerns regarding the destruction of their habitat and awareness of this problem is increasing. The use of fishing nets is still something of a problem, even though it is illegal now to use fishing nets in freshwater rivers and creeks, as the platypuses can become entangled. The Australian Government lists the platypus as "common but vulnerable". The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the platypus as "least concern". Platypuses are now strictly protected by law.

The platypus is vulnerable because of habitat loss through deforestation, dams and irrigation projects. They have disappeared from South Australia. Tasmanian platypuses are subject to a disease caused by the fungus Mucor amphibiorum, which has fortunately not migrated to the mainland. Affected animals often develop skin lesions or ulcers, and the biggest threat to their survival arises from secondary infection. This can affect the platypus's ability to maintain body temperature and to hunt properly for food on the bottom of rivers and creeks.

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7y ago

The platypus, although found only in the country of Australia (which includes the island state of Tasmania) is notendangered. It is not listed on the IUCN Redlist (endangered species list).

There was a time when the platypus was under threat, being particularly prized for its fur years ago. In the past it came closer to extinction but it now has protection by law in the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 1974 (from hunters and fishermen), and the population has grown back to a healthy size. However, there are concerns regarding the destruction of their habitat and awareness of this problem is increasing. The use of fishing nets is still something of a problem, even though it is illegal now to use fishing nets in freshwater rivers and creeks, as the platypuses can become entangled.

The Australian Government lists the platypus as "common but vulnerable". The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the platypus as "least concern". Platypuses are now strictly protected by law. The platypus is vulnerable because of habitat loss through deforestation, dams and irrigation projects. They have disappeared from South Australia.

Tasmanian platypuses are subject to a disease caused by the fungus Mucor amphibiorum, which has fortunately not migrated to the mainland. Affected animals often develop skin lesions or ulcers, and the biggest threat to their survival arises from secondary infection. This can affect the platypus's ability to maintain body temperature and to hunt properly for food on the bottom of rivers and creeks.

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15y ago

The platypus is neither "almost extinct", nor "endangered". There was a time when it was under threat, being particularly prized for its fur years ago. The Australian Government lists the platypus as "common but vulnerable". The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the platypus as "least concern". Platypuses are now strictly protected by law. The platypus is vulnerable because of habitat loss through deforestation, dams and irrigation projects. They have disappeared from South Australia. Tasmanian platypuses are subject to a disease caused by the fungus Mucor amphibiorum, which has fortunately not migrated to the mainland. Affected animals often develop skin lesions or ulcers, and the biggest threat to their survival arises from secondary infection. This can affect the platypus's ability to maintain body temperature and to hunt properly for food on the bottom of rivers and creeks.

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10y ago

The platypus came perilously close to extinction in the early part of the 20th century, a result of being hunted for their velvety pelts. Because of this, and the fact that many other animals such as the koala were suffering the same fate, Federal legislation was put into place to protect native animals. This went a long way toward allowing many species to recover, and the platypus was one that made a very successful recovery. Today, platypus numbers are believed to be about the same as they were at the time European settlement began in Australia. Thus, the platypus is not endangered: it is listed as "least concern".

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14y ago

The platypus, although found only in the country of Australia (which includes the island state of Tasmania) is notendangered but it is classified as common but vulnerable. It is not listed on the IUCN Redlist (endangered species list).

There was a time when the platypus was under severe threat, being particularly prized for its fur years ago. In the past it came closer to extinction but it now has protection by law in the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 1974 (from hunters and fishermen), and the population has grown back to a healthy size. However, there are concerns regarding the destruction of their habitat and awareness of this problem is increasing. The use of fishing nets is still something of a problem, even though it is illegal now to use fishing nets in freshwater rivers and creeks, as the platypuses can become entangled.

The platypus is still vulnerable because of habitat loss through deforestation, dams and irrigation projects. They have disappeared from South Australia.

Tasmanian platypuses are subject to a disease caused by the fungus Mucor amphibiorum, which has fortunately not migrated to the mainland. Affected animals often develop skin lesions or ulcers, and the biggest threat to their survival arises from secondary infection. This can affect the platypus's ability to maintain body temperature and to hunt properly for food on the bottom of rivers and creeks.

Fortunately, this creature is protected by law, and it is prohibited to endanger it in any way.

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10y ago

The platypus, although found only in the country of Australia (which includes the island state of Tasmania) is not endangered. It is not listed on the IUCN Redlist (endangered species list). Nor has the platypus ever been endangered.

There was a time when the platypus was under threat, being particularly prized for its fur years ago. In the past it came closer to extinction but it now has protection by law in the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 1974 (from hunters and fishermen), and the population has grown back to a healthy size. The reason it was never endangered is because this occurred before it was ever assigned an official conservation status.

However, there are concerns regarding the destruction of their habitat and awareness of this problem is increasing. The use of fishing nets is still something of a problem, even though it is illegal now to use fishing nets in freshwater rivers and creeks, as the platypuses can become entangled.

The Australian Government lists the platypus as "common but vulnerable". The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the platypus as "least concern". Platypuses are now strictly protected by law. The platypus is vulnerable because of habitat loss through deforestation, dams and irrigation projects. They have disappeared from South Australia.

Tasmanian platypuses are subject to a disease caused by the fungus Mucor amphibiorum, which has fortunately not migrated to the mainland. Affected animals often develop skin lesions or ulcers, and the biggest threat to their survival arises from secondary infection. This can affect the platypus's ability to maintain body temperature and to hunt properly for food on the bottom of rivers and creeks.

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Q: Why are Platypuses going extinct?
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