Is your legacy that you lived and enjoyed nature, or lived and cared for nature?
Is your legacy that you lived and enjoyed nature, or lived and cared for nature?
Larila's death highlights the unacceptable impact of litter on platypuses. Her death demonstrates why urgent action must be taken to address all forms of pollution in the Hobart Rivulet. This is her story.
Another platypus is entangled in our litter
Local photographer Adam Fry notices a platypus with a loop of litter around its neck swimming in the Cascade Gardens boulder trap and contacts @hobartrivuletplatypus in the evening.
Photo: Adam Fry
The search begins
The platypus team at DPIPWE is notified and a plan is put together. The search for the entangled platypus begins immediately.
Nov 06, 2022It will take a community to care
A call is put out on @hobartrivuletplatypus social media for the community to help locate the platypus, so care can be provided.
Nov 07, 2022The platypus is located
The following morning two eagle eyed community members spot the platypus, again in the Cascade Gardens boulder trap. Authorities are notified with the help of #ThePlatypusGuardian crew who happen to be on site filming.
The platypus is captured
Working together, the City of Hobart, DPIPWE, @hobartrivuletplatypus and TPG crew are able to capture the platypus. The loop of twine is removed, revealing deep cuts around her neck and front leg.
50c for the life of a platypus
A seemingly benign loop of twine around the platypus's neck has put her life at risk. Due to the nature of the injuries she is taken into care at Bonorong. 
The platypus receives care
Pain relief and antibiotics are injected into the blood vessel running around the outside of the platypus's rubbery bill. She was not conscious at this point thankfully.
Wounds are cleaned
The cut down to the bone on the back of the platypus's front leg is of serious concern.
Sweet dreams!
With the first round of care complete, the little platypus is tucked into bed. 
Larila is named by the community
While the platypus sleeps, the community posts name suggestions on @hobartrivuletplatypus Facebook. Larila, palawa kani for platypus is chosen, and the use is approved by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre. A beautiful name for a beautiful creature!
Surgery is no place for a platypus
Surgery takes much longer than expected. Three hours later, Larila wakes up, groggy and exhausted.
Platypus or pollution. It's our choice.
With Larila in care we return to the Hobart Rivulet to continue removing rubbish from the waterway. 
An international platypus
Larila's progress is closely followed by the community and media, even overseas! If caring thoughts could cure, she'd be back in her waterway home already.
Worms and more worms!
Larila is moved to a Wildlife Carer in Lenah Valley. She needs a constant supply of fresh food. The community responds, providing a supply of worms and other yummies.
A guarded prognosis
Despite everyone's best efforts Larila's prognosis remains guarded - medical speak for not great.
Her best chance
A decision is made to attempt a release. Unfortunately Larila is unable to walk or swim as she should. She returns to Bonorong.
Hope for the future
The first people to respond to Larila's death with action are the young who organize their own waterway clean up. 
#StopTalkingRubbish & Fix McRobies Outfall
In terms of litter, the city tip is the biggest polluter of the Hobart Rivulet. Windblown litter and discharges flow directly into platypus habitat where several animals have become entangled. A call is put out to fix McRobies once and for all.
Dec 17, 2022A city begins to talk
The Summer 2023 edition of City of Hobart's Bandicoot Times considers the question "What will be Larila's legacy?"
Another entangled platypus
The Australian Platypus Conservancy notifies @hobartrivuletplatypus that another platypus has been seen in the Hobart Rivulet entangled in litter, below the outfall of the city tip. The search begins. 
Larila's Seize it, Snip it, Bin it! begins
Larila's litter awareness campaign begins - engaging local communities, schools, businesses and government.
Into schools with Larila's Legacy!
The year 4 students at South Hobart Primary School - right on the banks of the Hobart Rivulet - begin designing messaging and posters inspired by Larila's Legacy and the Seize it, Snip it, Bin it! campaign. The posters will be used both on the bins within the school and in the local community. 
A nesting female platypus entangled in fishing line
Discarded fishing line is especially deadly. Fortunately the nesting female was able to free herself. @hobartrivuletplatypus continues to monitor, expose and remove litter in the Hobart Rivulet. 
State of the Rivulets Report
The City of Hobart releases its first ever 'State of the Rivulets' report. Water ecologists describe the health of the lower Hobart Rivulet as "horrible". Reports are good, action is better... 
Larila ripples across the pond
The Platypus Guardian premieres on ABC TV featuring Larila's story at its core. Hearts are touched and tears are shed. The documentary will air around the world.
Under threat from all sides
ABC News publish an in depth article, using Larila's story to highlight the plight of Australia's platypus population. 
Entangled platyus captured!
The entangled platypus is finally located and caught. With the ring of rubber removed and the injury assessed she is released back into the rivulet.
More school visits!
More primary school visits, with the aim of empowering the guardians of tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration kids!
- Albuera St
- The Friends' School
- St Michaels
- Landsdowne Crescent
