Is Australia the Only Place on Earth Where You Can Actually HOLD a Koala? (2015, photo)
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I mean because who wouldn't want to do that right? Anyway, I've read that in the United States very few zoos even have koalas. The most popular one I've heard of is in San Diego, but they won't let you hold one and the closest you can get to them is about 5-7 feet.
I heard even in Australia it's being phased out. Because being around strangers so much gives unneeded stress to koalas. Some provinces in the country already don't allow it from what I've read.
I mean because who wouldn't want to do that right? Anyway, I've read that in the United States very few zoos even have koalas. The most popular one I've heard of is in San Diego, but they won't let you hold one and the closest you can get to them is about 5-7 feet.
I heard even in Australia it's being phased out. Because being around strangers so much gives unneeded stress to koalas. Some provinces in the country already don't allow it from what I've read.
Holding them in Australia is very very common at zoos and wildlife parks.
Koalas are cute and everything, but I've never understood this practice... of allowing tourists to hold them like teddy bears. Don't they have claws? Wild animals should be allowed to run wild.
To me it's still a bit like a tourist coming to Canada, and wanting to pose for a photo while they hold a wolverine. Can't imagine it. Leave wild animals alone.
Because being around strangers so much gives unneeded stress to koalas.
Even knowing that, you still insist on holding them? This is as bad as tourists taking selfies with a beached whale or something similar. I'm not even an animal lover, but seriously?
Koalas in the wild are smelly creatures. They are also affected significantly by diseases, mainly chlamydia.
At one time they were too many diseased Koalas in Queensland and New South wales and the government decided to cull their numbers, removing the diseased ones. Due to an outcry from Australians and citizens of other nations the plans were shelved. The sad part was that other areas of the country like Kangaroo island did not want to accept koalas from these territories.
Holding them in Australia is very very common at zoos and wildlife parks.
In Australia, it is legal in some states and illegal in others (such as NSW).
I also don't understand the popularity of this - people do it just because others are doing it, so than when asked they can say "yes, I held a koala" and maybe show a photo to prove it.
I have absolutely zero desire to hold a koala. While they're cute ...at the end of the day it's still a bear and and a wild animal. That thing could turn on u in 1 second and begin tearing your face apart if it wanted. ummm, no thanks.
Besides, do u actually think the koala enjoys being passed around and held? I can't imagine it does.
Koalas are not bears, they're marsupials and nocturnal animals. Those that are held at the zoos such as the Taronga Zoo in Sydney are sleepy, sedate, and tame to hold.
Koalas are native to Australia as far as I know. So it makes sense that it is really the only place where one would be able to hold one.
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