My dad got to “cuddle” a koala on a trip to Australia back in the 80s. He said it dug its claws into his back and it smelled bad and it was just a highly unpleasant experience overall.
Just because something looks cute doesn’t mean you should cuddle with it. You probably shouldn’t cuddle with a hedgehog either.
He did say that he also got to pet a wombat and it was very sweet.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Queensland, Australia, has implemented a new policy prohibiting visitors from cuddling koalas. This decision was made in response to concerns raised by animal welfare advocates and experts about the stress and potential harm cuddling may cause to the koalas. The sanctuary’s management aims to prioritize the well-being and natural behavior of the koalas while still allowing visitors to interact with them in other ways that are less intrusive.
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Koalas are naturally solitary animals and are sensitive to stress from various sources, including human interaction. When koalas are cuddled or held by visitors, it can cause stress due to several reasons:
-Koalas are wild animals and may find being handled or restrained uncomfortable or frightening. This can lead to stress responses such as increased heart rate, elevated cortisol levels (stress hormone), and defensive behaviors.
-Koalas spend most of their time sleeping and resting in trees, and they are not accustomed to being picked up or held. Being cuddled can disrupt their natural behavior patterns and routines.
-Improper handling or sudden movements by visitors can potentially cause physical harm to the koalas, such as scratches or other injuries.
-Close contact with humans can also pose health risks, such as the transmission of diseases or parasites between koalas and visitors.
-With koalas already facing threats in the wild, such as habitat loss and disease, minimizing stress and ensuring their well-being in captivity is crucial for their long-term conservation.
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