Man charged for taking platypus after police appeals for information

A man spotted carrying a platypus on a South East Queensland train has been charged and will appear in court on Saturday.

CCTV footage of the two people allegedly carrying the platypus at Morayfield station. Picture: QPS

Police have charged a 26-year-old man who allegedly removed a platypus from a Morayfield waterway on Tuesday.

The welfare of the animal remains unknown, with authorities told it was released into the Caboolture River. It is yet to be spotted.

Police issued urgent appeals for information after a man was seen with the animal travelling on a train between Morayfield and Caboolture stations on Tuesday.

Moreton region detectives have appealed for the return of a platypus believed to be taken from its natural environment on Tuesday morning. Photo: QPS

He was accompanied by a woman, who also travelled him to a King St shopping centre, where police allege they showed the animal to other members of the public.

Railway Squad officers located a in Caboolture at 12.30pm on Thursday

He will face Caloundra Magistrates Court on Saturday on one count each of taking protected animal class 1 offence and restriction on keeping or using taken protected animal class 1 offence.

The woman has spoken with detectives as investigations continue.

Speaking at a media conference on Thursday morning before the arrest, Police Minister Mark Ryan slammed the incident.

“It’s an offence, it is reckless, and it’s not funny,” he said.