Decline in koala cuddles in Australia: New report reveals which venues have stopped and which haven’t
News
With your support, we’re shining a light on the significant decline in koala cuddles and exposing the Queensland wildlife tourism venues that are still choosing profit over animal welfare.
All images: Carol Slater / World Animal Protection
The report celebrates the progress of four major venues in Queensland, Australia that have ditched koala "cuddles" while exposing those that continue to profit from this cruel practice.
Which venues have stopped koala cuddle experiences?
Since our original report “Too Close for Comfort” in 2022, four Queensland venues - Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, Kuranda Koala Gardens and Wildlife HQ - have now ended koala cuddle experiences.
But apart from Lone Pine, there has been no public announcement of this positive progress until now.
“Our latest investigation makes it clear that public sentiment towards close encounters is shifting fast, and cruel activities like koala cuddling are becoming out of touch.
“We’re seeing major venues ban koala cuddling in response to visitor feedback, and we’re hearing from staff on the ground that the days of cuddling koalas in Queensland are numbered.
“While some major venues are waking up to the change, it’s appalling that others are still exploiting these endangered animals for entertainment.
“At Paradise Country, koalas were being turned around and passed to visitors for cuddles and photo ops as if they were toys and not nocturnal, solitary animals who should be treated with dignity and respect.
“Koala cuddling was banned in several states, including NSW and Victoria, because of welfare concerns. World Animal Protection is calling on the Queensland Government to introduce a similar ban – both for the welfare of koalas, and the good of the Queensland tourism industry.”
Which venues continue to offer koala cuddles?
Despite the wonderful progress, many wildlife tourism venues continue to offer close encounters with koalas that deny these living, feeling beings of their natural behaviours.
At Paradise Country, koalas were being turned around by the handlers between each photo experience. Meanwhile, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary offers a ‘Breakfast with Koalas’ experience, where koalas can join diners at their table.
And although Wildlife HQ no longer offer koala cuddles to the public, they have allowed influencers and celebrities to cuddle koalas as part of their mobile zoo service.
Do koala cuddle experiences aid conservation?
A frequent claim made by wildlife venues defending koala cuddles is that close encounters with wild animals inspire support for conservation measures.
However, koala numbers in the wild in Queensland have halved between 2020 and 2022. And in February 2022, the status of the koala in Queensland was changed from vulnerable to endangered.
That’s why our report criticises venues that continue to force captive koalas into daily photo opportunities in the name of conservation.
How to see koalas without causing harm?
Choose to see koalas in the wild or at genuine observation-only sanctuaries.
Reducing visitor demand for cruel "holding a koala" experiences is vital to stop wild koalas being bred in captivity for our entertainment and profit.
National parks like Toohey Reserve at Mt Gravatt, Magnetic Island National Park and Noosa National Park are prime places to spot koalas in their natural habitat.
Together, we can call on the Queensland Government to ban koala cuddles
Queensland is a hotspot for wildlife entertainment, with more zoos, theme parks, and wildlife entertainment venues offering close encounters with wild animals than any other state in Australia.
Together, we’re urging the Queensland Government to follow NSW and Victoria’s lead and ban koala cuddles statewide.
Still Too Close for Comfort
Learn more about our 2025 research and investigation into koala cuddles at popular Queensland wildlife tourism venues.
Stop cruel koala cuddles
Call on the Queensland Premier to join other states in banning cruel koala encounters, including koala cuddles, selfies.
FAQ
Where do koalas live?
Koalas can be found mostly across the eastern states of Australia. These solitary animals live within a network of overlapping home ranges, which allows contact between males and females for mating.
What do koalas eat?
Koalas eat only eucalyptus leaves. Out of over 600 types of eucalyptus trees in Australia, koalas choose just a few, and each koala has their own favourite.
How long do koalas sleep?
Eucalyptus leaves are tough to digest and low in energy. That is why koalas can sleep up to 20 hours a day to conserve their energy.