When was the platypus extinct?

Answer 1

The platypus is not extinct. It is considered common, but vulnerable, in the only country in which it lives, which is Australia (including Australia's island state of Tasmania). It has never become totally extinct yet; nor has it ever been officially endangered. At one time, numbers were critically low due to the demand for the platypus's velvety pelt, but when official protection measures were brought in, its numbers saw a resurgence. It is now illegal to hunt them.

Answer 2

There is no way to predict when any species will become extinct, especially when that species is not even classified as "endangered".

The platypus is not 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. There are now believed to be around the same number of platypuses as there were at the time when Europeans first settled in Australia.

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

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.

Answer 3

As long as the platypus remains protected by law, it stands an excellent chance of avoiding extinction.

Platypuses do not even qualify as threatened, although they are unofficially "vulnerable". Although very delicate creatures, sensitive to ecological changes and habitat loss, their distribution is still much the same as it was prior to European settlement, apart from in South Australia where they were wiped out last century (like many native species), being hunted for their fur. The platypus is now a completely protected species.

Tasmanian platypuses are subject to a fungal disease which certainly threatens platypuses in that state, but mainland platypuses are currently free of the disease.