As per reports, it has been revealed that platypus, which is known as one of the iconic animals in Australia, is facing the danger of extinction. It is said that one of the main reasons for wiping out of this semi-aquatic mammal is lack of genetic diversity in Australia, where it lives.

The report has also been published in the Journal of Heredity, which revealed that platypus has enjoyed great genetic diversity in Australia, but now it is the sole representative of its Ornithorhynchus family. Experts said that the report will help the authorities concerned to take actions, so they can improve the population of platypus.

University of Sydney doctoral student Mette Lillie was of the view that King Island, which is in the north-west of Tasmania and Kangaroo Island in the south-west of Adelaide, are at a greater risk. She further affirmed that in comparison of the two, King Island poses greater risk for the survival of platypus.

Lillie said that the need is to increase the variety of platypus and only then it can be saved from extinction. "Variation is very important for populations because the more variation there is, the more pathogens the populations can resist", further affirmed Lillie.