The dire situation become apparent after Aussie Ark staff visited known platypus hot spots and making horrible discoveries.

During the last few weeks, Aussie Ark has relocated nine platypus in total.

Staff discovered two dead animals and have taken five into care. The platypus in care are now recovering, gaining weight and being assessed for re-release. However, their future in the wild remains uncertain.

The platypus' distribution range is throughout the entire fire ground on the east coast of Australia, including the Manning catchment on the NSW Mid-North Coast.

The species is suffering from the fire as well as the catastrophic effects of drought and the unregulated pumping of water from rivers.

"The loss to platypus life is devastating. They are truly a unique and wondrous animal, quite literally found nowhere else on the planet. An Aussie icon," Aussie Ark president Tim Faulkner said.

"Platypus numbers in the wild were already in decline, and current populations will have been catastrophically and perhaps irreversibly affected by fire and drought.

"Currently, several organisations including Aussie Ark and the Australian Reptile Park have rescued and released a number of platypus to deeper water, while other individuals too weak for release have been bought into care, where they are continuing to recover well.

"Aussie Ark is calling for a regional, collective approach to help save the iconic species," Tim Faulkner said.

Aussie Ark, a not-for-profit organisation, will continue to monitor, rescue and intervene where necessary to ensure a future for the platypus.

"Caring for the animals is critical but expensive. We need all the help we can get and are calling on the community for their help," Tim Faulkner said.

The public can help support Aussie Ark in their crusade by donating through its website.