A “very lucky” platypus named Ruby has made a narrow escape after being found swimming in a river with a piece of litter stuck around her neck.
The Bonorong Wildlife Rescue Service received a call from a concerned member of the public who spotted Ruby swimming beneath a bridge with the unidentified item ensnared around her neck.
A team of volunteer wildlife rescuers attempted to capture Ruby on the first day but were unsuccessful as she was “too quick in the water”.
Undeterred, the rescuers returned the next day with a new plan and managed to safely contain her.
“The team who assessed Ruby on arrival discovered some sort of elastic band had become stuck around her neck,” Bonorong said.
“Thankfully, in this case, the elastic was old and stretched out, so it was not applying any pressure to Ruby’s neck or body.”
Looped litter can often become stuck around the neck of platypus as they forage for food in polluted waterways.
A thorough examination revealed that Ruby had not been injured by the entanglement, which can often result in “very deep lacerations” that cause serious and permanent damage.
“Now a healthy and litter-free platypus, it was determined that Ruby was ready to head straight back out to the river,” Bonorong said.
“She was collected for release that same evening and our rescuers captured the moment she returned to the river.”
