The discovery of a dead platypus, entangled in discarded fishing gear in the Queanbeyan River, has sent a wave of concern through the local community and conservationists. The beloved monotreme was found in the waterway opposite Coles in central Queanbeyan on Tuesday, January 7, 2026.
A Tragic Find and a Wider Problem
Locals Susan Dalby and Christine Rampling were among those who made the sad discovery. "I reckon it got caught on a hook, or it got caught in the line when they were fishing," Ms Dalby said. Ms Rampling emphasised that such incidents are tragically common, affecting not just platypus but a range of native birds like magpies, cockatoos, galahs, and herons.
"By the time I get there, the animals have been thrashing around for so long trying to free themselves that they've dislocated the hip which they can't recover from," she described. "Or they've broken their leg in six different directions... It's a horrible, painful, just an awful way for them to die."
Conservation Efforts Ramp Up
The death has significant implications for the local platypus population. A recent survey identified only five individuals in that stretch of the river, meaning the loss of one represents a substantial blow. In response to the ongoing threat of discarded fishing tackle, a new initiative is being rolled out.
"Tangle Bins" and warning signs are being installed at popular fishing spots across the Molonglo catchment area, which includes Lake Burley Griffin and the Queanbeyan and Molonglo Rivers. A bin will be placed beneath the Oaks Estate Bridge on the Queanbeyan River, close to known platypus habitat.
This project is a collaboration between the Molonglo Conservation Group, the ACT government, and the angler advocacy group OzFish. The bins are designed to provide a safe, visible place for fishers to dispose of line, hooks, and tackle, directly reducing entanglement risks to platypus, rakali (native water rats), turtles, and waterbirds.
Pressures on a Unique Species
Susan Dalby, who occasionally sees live platypus in the river, described the Queanbeyan as a "beautiful" and "clean" river that provides vital habitat. However, the shy, egg-laying mammals face mounting pressures beyond fishing waste.
Habitat loss due to urban development is a major threat, squeezing the territorial animals into smaller areas. This forces young platypus to disperse into unsuitable locations like Lake Burley Griffin or even suburban swimming pools, where they cannot survive. The animals breed in late winter, with mothers nurturing their young in burrows until early February.
The deceased platypus remained in the river for some time, a stark reminder of the consequences of careless waste. While a warning sign exists near where it was found, its exact point of entanglement remains unknown, highlighting the pervasive nature of the problem.
