We are dedicated to swiftly and effectively rescuing Hobart Rivulet’s platypus from looped litter. Our commitment is to rapid, low-stress intervention, preventing unnecessary suffering and severe injury.

What is Looped Litter?
Looped litter refers to any discarded item that forms a circular, oval, or otherwise closed shape, creating a loop or ring. These items, whether rigid or flexible, pose a significant entanglement risk to wildlife, particularly aquatic animals like the platypus.

Examples of common looped litter include:

• Personal items: Elastic hair ties, rubber bands, wristbands.
• Fishing and boating debris: Knotted loops of twine, fishing net fragments, fishing line, plastic cable ties.
• Packaging waste: Rubber jar seals, plastic circular offcuts, tamper-proof plastic seals from bottles or containers.
• Construction/Industrial waste: PVC (in looped or ring forms).

The danger of looped litter lies in its shape, which can easily ensnare animals, leading to injury, restricted movement, and potentially death

The Hidden Danger of Looped Litter for Platypuses
Platypuses primarily feed on insects at the bottom of rivers and streams, and unfortunately, this is also where they frequently encounter discarded litter, particularly items that form loops.

How Entanglements Occur
Platypuses forage with their eyes closed, relying on electroreceptors in their bill to locate prey. This means they can unknowingly swim into looped litter, which can act like a snare. Once entangled, it becomes very difficult for them to escape. Their front feet, while excellent for swimming and digging, aren’t designed to remove such entanglements. Their hind feet, used for grooming their fur, can inadvertently tighten the loop when the platypus tries to free itself. This can cause the material to cut into their skin.

Potential Consequences
Injuries from these entanglements can lead to a range of problems, including infections, restricted movement, and difficulty foraging. In severe cases, these issues can ultimately be fatal.

Essentially, any rigid or flexible loop of litter in their habitat can pose a serious risk to platypuses.

What can I do?

Rapid identification and assistance are key to a good outcome! If you see a platypus entangled in looped litter, please contact us ASAP on Messenger (@hobartrivuletplatypus) or SMS 0434 418 671. Be sure to include photos or video that show the entanglement.