Eve (platypus)

Eve
A platypus swimming in a controlled habitat
Eve at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
SpeciesOrnithorhynchus anatinus
SexFemale
BornOctober 2004 (2004-10)
Taronga Zoo Sydney, Australia
DiedMarch 18, 2026(2026-03-18) (aged 21)
Known forOne of two platypuses housed outside Australia (As of 2026)
OwnerSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
ResidenceSan Diego Zoo Safari Park

Eve (October 2004 – March 18, 2026) was a female platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) housed at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in California. She was among the only platypuses exhibited outside Australia in the 21st century.

Life and arrival in San Diego

One of the platypuses on a rock at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park's enclosure

Eve was hatched in October 2004 at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia.[1] In October 2019, she was transferred to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park along with a male platypus named Birrarung, whose name comes from a river in Australia.[2] Eve's name came from Evelyn, who had been a care specialist for her in Australia.[3] The animals were transported in custom-built crates and accompanied by a keeper to assist their acclimation.[4]

As of December 2019, 15-year-old Eve weighed approximately 2.5 pounds (1.1 kg) and was roughly the length of a human arm from wrist to shoulder.[1]

Within the Walkabout Australia area, the Nelson A. Millsberg Platypus Habitat housed the animals in an enclosure that replicated freshwater conditions and accommodated their nocturnal activity. Eve spent much of the day in a nest box.[5] She was fed a diet of live prey, including crayfish, crickets, ghost shrimp, and worms, and showed a preference for smaller crayfish.[6]

Death

Eve died on March 18, 2026, following treatment for pneumonia.[2][7] She was approximately 21 years old, slightly exceeding the typical lifespan of a platypus in human care.[8][9]

Significance

The entrance to the platypus enclosure at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

When Eve and Birrarung arrived in San Diego, it was the first time in more than half a century that platypuses had been cared for outside of Australia and 60 years since a platypus had been on display in the United States.[10][2][11]

Eve was part of a program to study platypus biology and husbandry outside Australia.[12][13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Relations, Public (March 17, 2026). "San Diego Zoo Safari Park Platypus Gets a Checkup". San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Paoletto, Isabella (March 20, 2026). "Beloved SD Zoo Safari Park platypus dies at 21". KSWB-TV.
  3. ↑ Ferrell, Jamie (March 13, 2025). "This SoCal Zoo Has A Live Cam Of The Only 2 Platypuses In The US". Secret Los Angeles. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  4. ↑ Fikes, Bradley J.; Wilkens, John (November 21, 2019). "Australian platypuses, last exhibited in the US 60 years ago, coming to SD Safari Park". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  5. ↑ Bravo, Christina (November 25, 2019). "Pair of Platypuses From Australia Latest Addition to San Diego Zoo Safari Park". KNSD. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Caring for Platypuses". San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  8. ↑ "San Diego Zoo Safari Park's beloved platypus Eve dies at 21". SanDiegoVille. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  9. ↑ Gregorio-Nieto • •, Brenda (March 20, 2026). "Adored platypus at San Diego Zoo Safari Park passes away at 21". KNSD. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  10. ↑ Anderson, Erik (November 22, 2019). "Rare Platypus On Display At San Diego Zoo Safari Park". KPBS (TV). Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  11. ↑ Diego, Chris Jennewein • Times of San (November 23, 2019). "Safari Park Welcomes Only Platypuses to Live in a Zoo Outside Australia". Times of San Diego. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  12. ↑ Kiehnle, Grace (October 16, 2024). "How the SD Zoo's Platypuses Are Helping Save Their Species". San Diego Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  13. ↑ Weise, Elizabeth (July 27, 2024). "Climate change effects threaten the platypus, prompting new plan". USA Today.
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