George the Platypus released back into the wild after being rescued by a concerned passer-by

Most of us will never see a platypus in the wild, but it’s nice to know they’re out there.

Six months ago George was found by a concerned member of the public dangerously underweight.

The tiny platypus was 420grams when he should have been about double that weight.

At an estimated five to six months old, George was given a slim chance of survival.

The emaciated puggle was brought to Taranga Zoo where he began an intensive feeding and rehabilitation program.

Zoo vet Kimberley Vinette Herrin told 9NEWS, “he started to eat and he started to pick up speed and improve daily”.

“Now he’s in a really good condition, he’s 1.3 kilograms and ready to go back into the wild.”

George was today released into the Colo River north of Sydney.

Ms Vinette Herrin thinks he’s going to be just fine, “and people in that area will also be watching out for him”.

Experts say far too often people try to keep injured native animals as pets for a few days with tragic consequences.

“If they don’t get the attention they need – they could die,” NSW Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton said.

“This is a real success story because somebody did the right thing.”