4 October 2015

Illegal trap kills platypus pair

| Ellen Harvey
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Report illegal yabby traps in the ACT

An illegal yabby trap has killed two platypuses in the Murrumbidgee River.

The ACT Government is urging residents to report illegal traps to prevent incidents like this one last month.

Illegal “Opera House” traps have caught and drowned air-breathing animals such as platypuses, turtles, native water rats and birds in the past.

Regional Manager of National Parks and Catchments Brett McNamara says it is an offence to be in possession of an Opera House trap when you are in or beside public waters.

Members of the public can identify illegal traps by looking for rope or string tied close to the bank going into the waterway, a plastic bottle bobbing in a fixed position in a stream or a lonely fishing float or small plastic ball not moving with the current.

If you see an illegal trap, please report it to Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

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