Queensland Police are desperately searching for two people who took a platypus from its natural habitat before boarding a train.
The pair could be seen on CCTV catching a train from Morayfield Station towards Caboolture after taking the mammal from the Moreton District on Tuesday about 11am.
One man could be seen holding and patting the animal, which was wrapped in a towel, and showing it off to other commuters at the platform.
The man in the vision is wearing a black T-shirt, adidas shorts, thongs and a red cap.
The other person in question is sporting a patterned blue T-shirt, ripped jeans and adidas sandals while carrying a Big W bag.
They have been urgently told by police and environmental authorities to hand in the platypus to an emergency vet or police station as soon as possible.
“The animal may become sick, be diseased or die the longer it is out of the wild and should be fed or introduced to a new environment,” a police statement read.
“It may also have venomous spurs which can cause significant injury to people and animals.”
Police said they have identified the two people but were yet to find them or the platypus almost two days since the incident.
Officers have spoken to members of the community who claimed the pair found the animal on the road and had the intention of “picking it up and returning it elsewhere”.
But authorities are yet to confirm the safety of the native Australian animal.
The unlawful taking of a platypus from the wild is a Class 1 offence under section 88 of the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
It carries a maximum penalty of $431,250. Anyone with information is urged to contact Policelink on 131 444.
News Source: www.skynews.com.au
