Why this iconic Aussie tourist activity is quietly disappearing
When it comes to travelling - what do Taylor Swift, Oprah, and Queen Camilla have in common?
They've all cuddled a koala while on a holiday Down Under.
But this iconic rite of passage for celebrities, tourists, and backpacking Brits is slowly being phased out, as concerns for koala welfare win out.
READ MORE: The laid-back Thai escape most Aussie travellers have overlooked
Taylor Swift visited Lone Pine in Brisbane in 2009. Facebook
It's only legal for tourists to hold koalas in three states - Queensland, WA, and SA. Even in the states where it's allowed, fewer parks and zoos are offering koala holding as an opportunity.
And in turn, people are slowly becoming less likely to seek out or support koala holding experiences, driven by a greater awareness of animal welfare, according to experts.
READ MORE: Free things you can do in Melbourne to give your wallet a break
"Travellers now want wildlife experiences that are ethical and put the animals first, not just a quick photo for Instagram," Suzanne Milthorpe from World Animal Protection tells 9Travel.
"They want to see animals behaving naturally and aren't comfortable with experiences that stress or exploit them."
Koalas get stressed out when they are held. Hanson Bay
The Still Too Close for Comfort report from World Animal Protection reveals there has been a clear shift in traveller expectations - more people are just happy to see the animals up close rather than needing to hold or touch them.
That change in attitude is already pushing some major Queensland venues to phase out koala "cuddles" and other direct-handling encounters, Suzanne says.
Brisbane's Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, a popular spot frequented by celebrities over the decades, ended its koala cuddling experience last year.
Meanwhile, the iconic Australia Zoo - home of the Irwins - is still offering koala encounters, charging $134 a person for 'back-of-house' cuddles.
Even when these experiences champion conservation, it's "more about profit than animal welfare," says Suzanne.
READ MORE: This area of Bali was named one of the 'coolest places' in the world - here's what it's like
Australia Zoo still offers koala encounters. Instagram
Queensland's wild koala numbers have halved in just two decades and their status has been upgraded from 'vulnerable' to 'endangered'.
"Koalas are mostly nocturnal and spend most of their time resting or feeding, so being handled, swayed, or passed between visitors for cuddles can be stressful and affect their health," she adds.
Even experiences that seem "fun," like feeding koalas or letting them wander among diners during a breakfast session, aren't safe.
"The simple rule is this - if an activity puts human interaction above the animal's wellbeing, it's risky," Suzanne says.
"The best experiences let visitors watch and appreciate wildlife safely, while letting the animals behave naturally."
Tourists should approach with a look, don't touch philosophy. Supplied
Suzanne says that for tourists wanting to see koalas without putting them at risk, the best place to see them is in a national park.
Instead of "cuddles" or direct handling, tourists can choose guided walks or viewing platforms that don't involve touching or getting close to the animals.
"Basically, it's about watching, learning, and appreciating wildlife at a safe distance, a win for both visitors and the animals."
