Platypuses are at risk of extinction due to Australia's devastating drought, the effects of the devastating bushfires, and human development in their habitat.
Add your name if you want to save them before it's too late!
"Australia's severe drought and other climate change effects are driving the native platypus towards extinction, researchers warn. With rivers drying up, many platypuses are becoming stranded.
"A new study led by University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney's Centre for Ecosystem Science has examined the risks of extinction for the unique mammal, which determined there is "an urgent need for a national risk assessment" for the platypus," according to CBS News.
The same source went on to say:
"The number of platypuses in the world have decreased by about half.
"This has led to the extinction of local populations across about 40% of the species' range.
"The expected losses are even greater, because of extreme droughts like the one that is currently plaguing Australia."
If we don't do something to save these wonderful, unique creatures now, they could soon be gone forever.
And it's important to take strong action immediate, because:
"Even for a presumed 'safe' species such as the platypus, mitigating or even stopping threats, such as new dams, is likely to be more effective than waiting for the risk of extinction to increase and possible failure.
"We should learn from the peril facing the koala to understand what happens when we ignore the warning signs," said Professor Brendan Wintle from the University of Melbourne.
It's clear that the most important thing we can do to save these wonderful animals from extinction is to end development in areas where they live.
Platypuses are endangered in the Australian state of New South Wales, and humans are the reason.
They are disappearing "because platypuses lived in areas undergoing extensive human development, and their long-term viability was compromised," said Professor Richard Kingsford, director of the UNSW Centre for Ecosystem Science.
The Honorable Sussan Ley has been a long-term advocate for saving Australia's unique ecosystems from destruction. She is known for standing up for the Great Barrier Reef in Parliament, as well as demanding that the Australian government honor agreements to reduce the nation's impact on global warming.
That's why we're asking her to lead a movement in the Parliament of Australia to protect platypus habitat from development once and for all.
Don't you want to save these magical creatures, before they vanish forever?
Then add your name to ask Sussan Ley, Australian Minister for the Environment, to take immediate action in the Parliament of Australia to protect platypus habitat from human development!
