DELICATE PASSENGER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22654, 20 August 1935, Page 13

DELICATE PASSENGER

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS ON VOYAGE TO LONDON (From Cdu Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, August 9. The requirements of a prospective passenger to London by a liner may necessitate the construction of a special suite. The traveller is so delicate that it is feared his health may suffer if special precautions are not taken. The traveller will be a platypus, wanted by the London Zoo. The platypus, which is one of the most difficult of animals to keep in captivity, and is even more difficult to carry on a long sea voyage, will 'require a big box divided into compartments with a tank. Ice will be needed to keep his bath-water at a suitable temperature, and every day carefully dried grass will have to be put in his sleeping box. He will be one of the travellers requiring a special diet, but it will be useless going to the chief steward about it. Someone will have to work hard in advance and track down scwt of worms! That should last him until he gets to London. At Taronga Park Zoo great care has to be taken over the two platypuses which are among the few that have been kept in captivity for any length of time. They wake for their meals almost on the tick of 4 p.m. each day, and to be disturbed at any old hour is not conducive to good health. They thrive best on young fresh prawns, tadpoles and worms. Tadpoles are ideal food,’ but if the selected platypus makes the trip he will be denied that luxury. Even the Taronga Park platypuses are not so fortunate.