Accused platypus thief who allegedly wrapped the unique creature in blanket and took the animal on a train is charged after a desperate manhunt
- Police have charged a man for allegedly taking a platypus
- He allegedly took it from the wild in QLD’s Moreton district
- Police were told it was released in the Caboolture River
Police have arrested a man in connection to a platypus taken from its natural habitat on Tuesday morning.
A hunt for a man and a woman, as well as the platypus, was sparked after the pair was allegedly caught on CCTV showing the creature to people on a train.
Police said the pair boarded a train at Morayfield Station in Queensland with the animal wrapped in a towel, patting it and showing it to fellow commuters.
They then allegedly took it to King Street shopping centre at Caboolture where they allegedly showed it to more members of the public.
It’s alleged the animal was taken from the wild in Queensland’s Moreton district at about 11am on Tuesday.
Queensland Police have arrested and charged a man (pictured left), 26, after he allegedly took a platypus from its natural habitat
A 26-year-old man has been apprehended over the incident, charged with one count each of taking protected animal class 1 offence and restriction on keeping or using taken protected animal class 1 offence.
The unlawful taking and keeping of a Platypus from the wild is a Class 1 offence under section 88 of the Nature Conservation Act 1992, which carries a maximum penalty of $431,250.
A woman has spoken to police and investigations are ongoing.
Police have been told the animal was released into the Caboolture River, away from where it was taken.
It has not yet been located by authorities and its condition is unknown.
The platypus may become sick, be diseased or die the longer it is out of its natural environment.
The man allegedly took the platypus from the wild in the Moreton district before boarding a train at Morayfield Station with the animal wrapped in a towel
Platypus are ‘near threatened’ meaning they are vulnerable to extinction in the near future (stock image)
The story of the incident has gone viral around the world and has made headlines in the United States, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
Anyone who sees a sick or injured platypus is urged to report it to the RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) or to the Department of Environment and Science (DES) on 1300 130 372.
Police have urged anyone who comes into contact with it to not feed it or introduce it to a new environment as it may put people or the animal in danger.
‘Taking a platypus from the wild is not only illegal, but it can be dangerous for both the displaced animal and the person involved if the platypus is male, as they have venomous spurs,’ a police spokesperson said.
Platypus venom is not lethal to humans but causes extreme pain.
Anonymous reports about the incident. can be made via Policelink on 131444.
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