Animal welfare in Australia - Koala cuddles prohibited: What are the rules Down Under?
Once holding a Koala in your arms, feeling their paws on your shoulder and gazing into their adorable button eyes - for many tourists, this is a long-cherished dream. However, what many tourists don't know before their Australia trip: In most states, it's no longer allowed to cuddle with these cute marsupials. A famous sanctuary in Brisbane, Queensland, has now joined the ban and sparked new discussions.
For years, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in tropical Queensland was the top address for close encounters with the Eucalyptus eaters. State and government heads from former US President Barack Obama to Russian President Vladimir Putin, pop icon Taylor Swift, and tennis legend Roger Federer have all held Koalas in their arms here.
In a statement, it was previously mentioned that there was a growing demand among guests for "deeper and educational experiences" that don't necessarily involve cuddling. Many wanted to spend more time in the presence of the animals and their carers instead of just posing for photos.
Disappointment among some Australians is significant. "I won't be going back if I can't cuddle a Koala anymore. Thank you for the memories, Lone Pine, and I sincerely wish you continued success," quoted news.com.au a regular visitor. Opinions on whether these interactions harm the animals and to what extent vary widely.
New Attraction Planned
In the wild, Koalas sleep for around 20 hours a day. They have a very slow metabolism and conserve energy with their leisurely lifestyle after consuming heavy Eucalyptus leaves. However, some close encounters force them to stay awake and active for hours, according to the animal welfare organization World Animal Protection based in London. "Holding, touching, or photographing a captive Koala causes them silent stress."
The Sanctuary is now introducing a new attraction called "Koala Close-Up." Animal lovers can observe the pouched young at close range and watch them eat, sleep, and relax, but without physical contact. "We're thrilled that both local and international visitors want to experience the Australian wildlife up close, but not forced," it was stated.
The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary has existed since 1927. It is considered the oldest and largest of its kind in the world. Back then, when the animals were hunted for their soft fur in large numbers, the sanctuary started with just two specimens: Jack and Jill. Today, there are around 100 Koalas living there.
In almost all Australian states and territories, holding a Koala like a baby is now illegal. Only Queensland and South Australia make an exception. Touching Koalas is generally allowed, but there are strict rules.
What is allowed for tourists - and what is not?
In New South Wales, with the metropolis Sydney, for example, such a hold-in-arms ban has been in place since 1995. The official guidelines of the regional government are very detailed: "The handling of Koalas by the public is limited to patting, stroking, and cuddling, with only one arm around the Koala while it sits on a solid surface," it states.
Some establishments do not allow touchings altogether, such as the famous Wild Life Sydney Zoo at Darling Harbour. Visitors are allowed to get close to the animals and take photos next to them. According to the website, "Since we have very strict rules about how often our animals are shown, guests can be assured that the koalas will not be stressed from these encounters at close range."
In Queensland, where cuddling is generally still allowed, koala tourism is strictly regulated. Each animal can only be available for encounters with visitors for a maximum of three consecutive days before it gets a complete rest day.
One individual can only be removed from its natural environment for a maximum of 30 minutes per day for tourist purposes - and under no circumstances more than 180 minutes per week. Only trained carers are allowed to pick up a koala and place it in someone else's arms and then remove it.
Where cuddling is still allowed
Those who want to fulfill the dream of close contact come, for example, to the Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast, which is run by the family of the "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, and to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary south of Brisbane for more than 70 Euros per person. If it went according to World Animal Protection, it would be over soon here as well.
Under the title "Stop the cruel Koala cuddling" World Animal Protection is calling for a complete ban on cuddling in Queensland and is asking the public to put pressure on the regional government. Most visitors to wildlife centers would not know how much stress and suffering koalas have to endure when they are cuddled or held for a photo, it says in the petition.
Animal protectors are not going far enough
However, the regional government currently has no intention of changing the rules. The regulations, for example regarding pauses and rest times for koalas, are already very strict, quoted Australian Guardian Regional Premier Steven Miles. But that is not enough for animal protectors. World Animal Protection advises tourists to rather search for koalas in the wild and observe them from a distance.
- Despite the ban on cuddling Koalas in many Australian states, prominent figures like Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, Taylor Swift, and Roger Federer have all had the opportunity to hold Koalas at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane.
- The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, known for its close encounters with Koalas, now offers a new attraction called "Koala Close-Up," allowing visitors to observe the animals without physical contact to promote animal welfare.
- Taylor Swift, as a pop icon, had the chance to hold a Koala in her arms during a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, an experience cherished by many tourists.
- In response to the growing demand for educational experiences, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary introduced "Koala Close-Up," attracting visitors who want to observe the animals up close without causing stress.
- The US President Barack Obama, like many other famous figures, attended the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Queensland and had the opportunity to cuddle with a Koala, an experience now restricted in most Australian states.
- Animal welfare organizations like World Animal Protection argue that close encounters with Koalas, such as holding or photographing, cause silent stress to the animals and contribute to their decline in population, a concern also addressed by Brisbane's Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
- Russell Crowe, an Australian actor and singer, was one of the many individuals who have participated in Koala cuddling experiences at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary before the restrictions on interactions with Koalas were imposed.
