THE Australian Reptile Park has conducted its first ever platypus venom milking in the hope that it could lead to scientists finding “the next miracle cure”.
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Park general manager Tim Faulkner, who is more accustomed to milking snakes and spiders, led the successful milking at the Central Coast wildlife sanctuary.
The venom will be sent off to be studied at universities in Sydney.
The male platypus has a venomous spur which inflicts a sting which is described as excruciatingly painful. The sting is not lethal, however, to humans.
The Australian Reptile Park staff are accustomed to milking venomous snakes and spiders as it is the only zoo in Australia to milk them for lifesaving antivenom.
“We milk hundreds of snakes and spiders weekly here at the park, but milking a platypus... this is a first,” Mr Faulkner said.
“I’ve never been caught on the receiving end of a platypus spur and I never want to. There is no antivenom available for the platypus at this time so you just have to sit and wait the pain out – today we participated in a very dangerous job.
“This kind of research is vital to moving forward with medicine. You never know what properties lie within this kind of venom, especially the venom of a mammal as there aren’t many mammals with venom.”
The platypus venom will be distributed to universities throughout Sydney to see if it holds any properties that could prove useful in medicines, he said.
Animal venoms have been researched and used in medicines to assist in many medical ailments. The venom of taipans is used to help with stroke victims; gila monster venom is being used to help treat diabetes; and pit vipers are contributing to the development of new pain killers.
Once the milking was complete Yaro the platypus was released back into his pond for a swim.
The Australian Reptile Park is open daily from 9am to 5pm.
More information about The Australian Reptile Park’s lifesaving antivenom program can be found at reptilepark.com.au .