A juvenile echidna has been released back into the wild after it had been illegally taken from Mount Archer National Park by a member of the public.
The young echidna has spent three months in intensive care with a specialist wildlife carer, learning to forage for its own food.
When the echidna was seized by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, it was underweight, humanised, and unable to forage for food on its own.
After two months of lengthy rehabilitation, it began foraging on its own for food and avoiding human interaction, which led to its release in August.
Under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 a person must not take, use, keep or interfere with a native animal, and could face a maximum penalty of $500,700 or two-years imprisonment.
Echidnas are vital to their ecosystems, improving soil health, controlling pests, and supporting biodiversity through their digging and foraging behaviours.
People can report injured or sick native animals by calling 1300 130 372.
