Scientists rescued platypuses from drought; they readapted within days

For five months, a group of platypuses lived far from the waterways they once called home. Australia’s severe drought had transformed their habitat into an increasingly dangerous place, prompting conservationists to remove seven platypuses and place them in temporary care. But captivity was never meant to be permanent. Once conditions improved, the platypuses were released back into the wild, raising an important question: after months away, would they still be able to navigate their old habitat, find food and settle back into their natural routines?According to a study published in the journal Marine and Freshwater Research, researchers investigated what happened after platypuses rescued from Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve near Canberra during the 2017-19 drought were returned to the wild. Five animals spent about five months in temporary captivity before being released at their original capture sites.