Popular zoo bans koala cuddling
With a Koala to cuddle, it is popular among tourists and tourists in Australia. Even Barack Obama and Taylor Swift have held one in their arms at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. However, this is not the case everywhere.
Once you've held a Koala, felt its paws on your shoulder, and looked into its adorable button eyes - for many tourists, this is a long-held dream. However, what many tourists don't know before their Australia trip: In most states, it's no longer allowed to cuddle these cute marsupials. A well-known sanctuary in Brisbane has now joined the ban, sparking new discussions.
For years, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in tropical Queensland was the top address when it came to close encounters with Eucalyptus eaters. State and government heads from former US President Barack Obama to Russian President Vladimir Putin have held Koalas there, as well as pop icon Taylor Swift and tennis legend Roger Federer.
In a statement, it was previously mentioned that there was a growing demand among guests for "deeper and educational experiences" that do not necessarily include cuddling. Many wanted to spend more time in the presence of the animals and their caretakers instead of just posing for photos.
Some Australians are disappointed. "I won't go there anymore if I can't cuddle a Koala. Thank you for the memories, Lone Pine, and I sincerely wish you continued success," quoted the news site News.com.au from a regular visitor. Opinions on whether these interactions harm the animals - and if so, to what extent - vary widely.
New Attraction Planned
In their natural habitat, Koalas sleep for around 20 hours a day. They have a very slow metabolism and conserve energy with their leisurely lifestyle after eating heavy Eucalyptus leaves. "But some close encounters force them to be active and alert for hours," complains the animal protection organization World Animal Protection based in London. "Cuddling, holding, 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 joey's closer than ever and watch them eat, sleep, and relax, but without physical contact. "We're happy 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 states and territories in Australia, it is now illegal to hold a Koala like a baby. Only Queensland and South Australia are exceptions. Touching a Koala is generally allowed, but there are strict rules.
What Tourists Are Allowed - and What They're Not
In New South Wales, with the metropolis Sydney, such a hold-in-the-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 patting, with only one arm around the Koala while it sits on a firm 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 photographs next to them. According to the website, "Since we have very strict rules about how often our animals are displayed, 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, among other places, to the Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast, which is run by the family of "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 the end there as well.
Under the title "Stop the cruel Koala cuddling," the organization is calling for a complete ban on cuddling in Queensland and is asking the public to put pressure on the regional government. Most wildlife center visitors would not know how much stress and suffering koalas have to endure when they are cuddled or held for a photo, according to the petition.
However, the regional government currently has no intention of changing the rules. The regulations, such as those regarding pauses and rest times for koalas, are already very strict, quoted Australian Guardian Regional Premier Steven Miles. Animal protectors are not satisfied with that. World Animal Protection advises tourists to rather search for koalas in the wilderness - and observe them from a distance.
Despite the ban on cuddling Koalas in most parts of Australia, international tourists can still have close encounters with these animals at specific wildlife sanctuaries, such as the Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast or the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. However, animal protection organizations strongly advocate for a complete ban on koala cuddling due to the stress and suffering the animals endure during these interactions.
