On Wednesday 25 January 2012, Lauren Keim, an East Brunswick resident and teacher at a local primary school rescued a large male platypus from the Merri Creek 200 metres north of Moreland Rd bridge.
The platypus was tangled in rubbish and debris and had a wound in his side. Lauren took the platypus to Essendon Emergency Vet who treated the platypus’ wound. The vet called a Wildlife Carer who took him to Healesville Sanctuary. After determining the platypus was healthy, Jessica Thomas, a Platypus Keeper at Healesville Sanctuary, decided that he should be released back where he had come from. So he was put back into Merri Creek.
Lauren has kept the tangled mess of rubbish to show her class and to educate them about rubbish in the creek.
Melbourne Water has advised that members of the public should not attempt to rescue platypus in trouble. Male platypus have a poisonous spur on their back legs that can cause serious injury to people. Platypus are also easily stressed through handling and can even die. If you see a platypus in trouble please contact wildlife specialist Josh Griffith – 0422-783-994.
We’d love to know if you’ve seen the Merri Creek platypus. Please contact us or make a report through our website animal sightings form.
See a web version of these fabulous panels which celebrate the outstanding community achievement since 1975 in transforming Merri Creek from a weed-smothered drain to a much-loved waterway running through a bushland corridor: 
Merri Creek Management Committee. 2 Lee St, East Brunswick, Victoria, Australia 3057