A Platypus “Weanery”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 484, 13 October 1928, Page 27

A Platypus “Weanery”

Scheme for Capture of World’s Quaintest Creature

TRAtN to Manilla recently carried in a special truck the most remarkable creation yet evolved in Australia for the caging and rearing of wild animals.

It Is termed by its creator, MrHarry Burrell, of Sydney, a “platypus weanery,” and it is designed to houso eight youngsters of the most distinctive of the world’s mammals. The curious platypus has never been kept in captivity for any length of time Elaborate efforts a few years ago resulted in one being retained for a few days in the New York Zoo, where it was an object of curiosity to thousands of people. All attempts to take the oddity to England have failed. Mr. Burrell has set himself to combat three vital points. Last year he took four young platypi from their

burrows just as they were furred. By shrewd work he mado them accustomed to human hands and resigned to being away from water (for they had never seen water at that stage). Moreover, and most important of all, he actually discovered a cheap food that would suit them instead of their usual river diet. It was at that stage that Mr. Burrell was taken seriously ill, and had to abandon his experiments. He is in almost normal health again uow, and, with governmental blessing, will leave for the Namoi River to take up where he left off when stricken down. Zoologists all over tne world will watch these experiments with interest, based on the hope that Australia and other countries jtvill soon be able to see, under good conditions in zoos, specimens of Australia’s most curious animal.