A PLATYPUS has been found mauled to death in the Werribee River with its bill crushed and tail missing.

The animal’s mangled body was discovered near Redgum Close, sparking fears for their extinction across the waterway.

Platypus conservationist Dr Rodney Armistead believed the platypus was the victim of a vicious dog attack.

“If people don’t control their actions, they can have really dramatic ramifications,” he said.

“You can’t always control dogs’ actions, when they are off the lead they love getting into the water. It only takes a spilt second for something awful to happen.

“With this being an urban waterway it’s fortunate to actually have platypus here.”

The latest live-trapping survey only captured one of the Australian natives despite being home to the most important platypus population in the Greater Melbourne region.

Other surveys revealed the river has the worst rate of litter entanglement in Victoria.

Werribee River Association president Alex Smart has ignited call for a mass clean-up.

“The platypuses are already under stress due to the drought and to add to that it’s looking pretty grim,” he said.

“In the last two years I have seen more dead platypus than live ones.

“We see dogs running in the river but they need to avoid the hotspots for platypus.

“If it continues on at this rate we could lose the platypus in this area.”

Star launched a Save our River campaign last year following results of a platypus survey.

Two of the three platypuses had deep scars from plastic rings etched into their skin.

A dead platypus was found near Bungey’s Hole with a rubber band around its neck, while another strangled with fishing line.

Environmentalists believe rubbish in the river has become a death trap for local wildlife.

Drink bottles, plastic bags, garden waste, metal and rubber continue to be strewn across the banks.

At least five platypuses have been found dead in the past two years.

Biologists have found platypuses starved to death or crippled with infections due to the rubbish causing suffocation and stopping them diving for food.

Dr Armistead will now host an information session to discuss the plight of the platypus in the Werribee River.

It will be held at the Wyndham Council’s civic centre on 22 March from 7pm until 8.30pm.

For further information or to book contact 9742 9254.