Reported about 1 year ago
The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Australia, has stopped offering the 'koala cuddle' experience for visitors starting this month to avoid causing stress to the koalas. This decision was made in response to increasing feedback from visitors and to prevent putting pressure on the animals. Despite regulations in some Australian states limiting koala interactions, a few places still offer such activities, like Dreamworld on the Gold Coast where visitors can pay to take photos cuddling koalas. Conservation groups are urging a complete halt to these types of attractions and services, citing that using koalas for photos and cuddles is cruel and can lead to stress, especially considering their solitary and nocturnal nature.
Source: YAHOO