Peter Walsh, a Hobart resident, is turning a personal hardship into a heartfelt mission to protect the threatened platypus population of Hobart’s waterways.
His story is the focus of the upcoming ABC documentary, ‘The Platypus Guardian’, premiering Tuesday, 13 June at 8.30pm on ABC and iview.
Walsh’s journey began with a life-altering brain injury diagnosis. In search of solace, he found himself drawn to the Hobart rivulet, where he formed an unexpected bond with a platypus he named Zoom. Harnessing cutting-edge camera technology, Walsh is determined to shed light on the secretive life of this female platypus and the challenges she confronts in her increasingly precarious habitat.
The turning point came when Walsh discovered Zoom ensnared in plastic, highlighting the peril facing the platypus population. Enlisting the help of experts, Walsh embarked on a deep exploration of the rivulet’s health and the platypus community that calls it home. His intimate observations provide a rare glimpse into the life of these unique creatures.
But when bulldozers and a flash flood jeopardise the rivulet, causing Zoom’s sudden disappearance, Walsh feels compelled to act. He initiates a grassroots conservation effort, rallying the community to rescue his platypus friends from the brink of extinction.
‘The Platypus Guardian’, a WildBear Entertainment Production, features spectacular natural history footage, capturing never-before-seen moments of the platypus in its natural habitat. The documentary unveils the enchanting world that thrives in the shadows of the city, showcasing Walsh’s race against time to safeguard it.
Screen Australia, in association with Screen Tasmania and with support from Content Mint, primarily fund the project. Chadden Hunter serves as the executive producer, with Nick Hayward and Fraser Johnston as the director/producer and producer respectively. Leo Faber is the ABC Executive Producer.
