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       Queensland koala sanctuary Lone Pine to stop offering koala cuddles
        
 (HTM) Source
        
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       An iconic south-east Queensland koala sanctuary has become the latest
       to end the practice of allowing guests to hold their koalas.
        
       Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, which opened in 1927, is a
       popular destination for getting up close and personal with the
       loveable Australian marsupial.
        
       The sanctuary has issued a statement confirming that, from the start
       of this month, guests will no longer be able to hold the koalas - a
       move it says is to "address increasing public demand" for "more
       immersive and educational experiences".
        
       The iconic Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane is banning koala
       cuddles. (9News)
        
       "The decision has been made in response to increasingly strong visitor
       feedback, wishing to spend longer with the sanctuary's koalas and
       their passionate wildlife care team, without necessarily holding
       them," the sanctuary's statement read.
        
       The experience has been illegal in other states including NSW,
       Victoria, the Northern Territory and Tasmania for several years.
        
       While cuddly in appearance, koalas are naturally solitary creatures
       and holding them for prolonged periods has been documented to induce
       stress.
        
       Activists hope this could be a signal of a broader shift in
       Queensland, where koala holding remains popular at many attractions.
        
       Lone Pine will launch a new experience to take the place of the koala
       cuddles, called Koala Close-up, which it says will provide
       "meaningful connections and extended time" with the koalas.
        
        
        
        
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