Ask anyone planning a trip to Australia, even Vladimir Putin, and cuddling a koala is probably at the top of their bucket list.
But now you’ll have to stay away from a popular zoo.
The Lone Pine koala sanctuary in Queensland was known for its “celebration” sessions, attended by famous faces including Taylor Swift, Pope John Paul II and the Russian president.
But it has now banned the experience, which is said to stress the animals, and replaced cuddles with “up-close” encounters.
In a statement, Lone Pine said: “The decision was made in response to increasingly strong feedback from visitors who want to spend more time with the sanctuary’s koalas… without necessarily holding them.”
Taylor Swift hugs a koala at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Australia in 2009
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a koala before the G20 Leaders Summit at the sanctuary in Brisbane in November 2014.
Koala breeding had become a popular photo opportunity at Lone Pine, which opened in 1927, but it seems it wasn’t always happy snaps for the marsupials.
Jen Basham, from the Queensland Conservation Council, said: “Koalas are solitary and wild animals, and can become stressed when interacting with humans. We know that Queenslanders and tourists alike get excited when they encounter koalas, but nothing compares to seeing them in the wild.
“We welcome Lone Pine’s announcement and the direction they are taking.”
Suzanne Milthorpe, from the charity World Animal Protection, said the koalas would have found the hugs “stressful”.
While he praised the Lone Pine tourists for “stepping away from outdated and stressful selfie encounters,” he called for broader bans on the practice.
Pope John Paul II visits the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on November 25, 1986
Guns N Roses guitarist Saul Hudson, known as Slash, holds his first koala at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Australia on August 22, 2012.
Tennis player Roger Federer poses with a koala during a visit to the sanctuary on December 29, 2013
Tennis player Andy Roddick holds a koala during a media event at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in January 2010.
Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia are the only states that allow koala ownership in the country.
While it is not illegal to touch endangered animals, in most states people are not allowed to physically support their weight.
Lyndon Discombe, general manager at Lone Pine, said: “We love that there is a shift between local and international guests who want to experience Australian wildlife up close, but not necessarily personally, just doing what they do best – eating, sleeping and relaxing.”
He said he hoped the new experience would allow visitors to “love and respect” koalas more.
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