It is illegal to have a Koala as a pet anywhere, even in Australia. The only people who are permitted to have a Koala in their possession, besides suitably authorised zoos, are, occasionally, scientists, and the people who are taking care of sick or injured Koalas or orphaned joeys.
Koalas look soft, but their fur feels like the coarse wool of a sheep. They also seem cuddly, but koalas are not tame, and they don't make good pets.
Studies have shown that koalas become stressed even in close proximity to humans, so forcing them into stressful interactions where they are hugged and used as photo props is completely unacceptable from an animal welfare perspective.
When you adopt a Koala, you receive a beautiful personalised adoption certificate with a photo of your Koala, a welcome letter, Koala stickers, and more. And if you are in the area you can drop in and visit the adorable Koala you adopted! *(Cost of Koala adoption does not include park admission fees).
For the states which allow 'koala cuddling', there are strict guidelines all individuals must follow. Including that an individual koala may only be handled 30 minutes maximum a day, or 180 minutes a week. Only captive-bred koalas can be handled, and no joeys or female koala with young can be handled.
Koalas are the size of a small child and they like to hug. They'll cling to you as though you are a tree. Even a short koala hugging encounter will be an experience you'll never forget.
Koalas can eat up to 1kg (2.2lbs) of eucalyptus leaves each day. It's an impressive diet, considering the leaves are poisonous to most animals. You can cuddle koalas in Western Australia, too — as long as you go to Cohunu Koala Park, just over a half-hour drive from Perth.
It is illegal to have a Koala as a pet anywhere, even in Australia. The only people who are permitted to have a Koala in their possession, besides suitably authorised zoos, are, occasionally, scientists, and the people who are taking care of sick or injured Koalas or orphaned joeys.
Adoption FAQ
1. Can I adopt a sloth from anywhere in the world? Yes!
Koalas attack only when provoked or when they feel threatened. They become aggressive through human invasion and other potential threats to themselves or to their young.
Are koalas friendly? Despite their cute and cuddly-seeming exterior, koalas are wild animals that can become aggressive and injure you. Like all wild animals, they shouldn't be approached unless they're injured, sitting or lying on the ground for an extended period of time and in need of help.
Koala kisses are nose touches between koalas. It seems to be a form of greeting. It is hardly ever seen in the wild. Koalas live most of their lives alone in a tree, and most of their communication is by voice.
Unfortunately for us, the science says no. Dr Kath Handasyde from the Department of Zoology has been researching the ecology, management and diseases of Australian native mammals for over 35 years, and says, fundamentally, the reason koalas aren't suitable as pets relates to issues of diet.
Additionally, the koala represents loyalty, as they are very devoted to their family and friends.
1. Dogs. Dogs come in at number one, with48.3 million households owning dogs in the United States, making these four-legged friends one of the most popular pets around. For people who live active lives and love giving out belly rubs, dog ownership can be a rewarding experience.
Every year, thousands of dogs from all over the world are put into shelters or left without a home. In Australia alone, there are an estimated 80,000 homeless dogs and puppies that need a loving family to take them in. It is a heartbreaking reality that many of these animals will never find a place to call home.
Such rumors are rooted in folklore and ancient mythology, but there's one story you've likely heard about black cats and dogs that's true: They're the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanized.
No. In the Australian State of New South Wales, as with most other States, it is illegal for any zoo or sanctuary to allow a visitor to hold a koala. Only trained accredited rangers are allowed to hold a koala. This is a sensible law as it protects koalas from being stressed because a human wants to give it a hug.
Native mammals like kangaroos, quolls and sugar gliders cannot be kept as pets in NSW. The best place for native animals is in the bush where they can live in their natural environment. Native mammals have special needs and do not thrive in confined domestic environments.
The World's Only Baby Kangaroo Sanctuary Is in This Small Australia Town — and Visitors Can Feed and Cuddle the Adorable Animals. Take a peek inside the world's only baby kangaroo sanctuary, located in Alice Springs, Australia.
They mostly eat eucalyptus leaves. But it turns out that they will also only eat leaves off the branch. On a plate or in a bowl, a koala won't recognize their one and only food. And it turns out that Koalas' inability to recognize leaves without a branch might have to do with how their brains are organized.
Do not under any circumstances attempt to roughly handle the animal. Contact with animals will be under the handlers direction – please do not touch animal's head, face or any other body parts unless directed to by the animal handler. All interaction will be instigated by the animals.