The death of the orphaned platypus, Millie, who was found on the Murrumbidgee River near Wagga Wagga, could increase the knowledge for future platypus rescues. “Millie was doing so well despite her ticks and anaemia but unfortunately died over the weekend,” said Dr Joanne Connolly, a senior lecturer with the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga. “Millie was initially responding well to care but she went off her food despite all attempts to tempt her to eat. Rearing milk-dependent platypuses usually has a relatively poor prognosis, but we were optimistic as Millie adapted so well. We started her on antibiotics and gave her subcutaneous fluids. I spoke to two zoo vets with some platypus experience and an expert on Theileria blood parasite infection in cattle, but nobody had treated Theileria in the platypus or small mammals before. A post-mortem examination has been carried out at the University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory but we are still awaiting the results of microbiology and histology. Millie has raised public awareness of some of the most amazing wildlife right here on our doorstep in Wagga Wagga. We hope to further describe Theileria in the platypus to assist other veterinarians when they rescue platypuses with this parasite infection.” Dr Connolly has praised the staff at the Moorong Veterinary Clinic for their role in getting the platypus the treatment she required. “Millie has really brought the community, veterinarians, Charles Sturt University clinicians and researchers together. I would like in particular to thank Adrian Rykmans and his mother Judy for rescuing the platypus and WIRES for its advice.”