Originally Posted by
mcbg1
They didn't say they handled a koala, they just petted one. An employee was probably holding the koala while other people posed next to it (and possibly petting it in this case).
Quite right - we didn't "handle" the Koala, the keeper held him and we were allowed to get up close and even pet him, albeit briefly. He certainly didn't seem to mind. In fact, the other Koalas were the most active in any place I have ever seen them. (San Diego has a large collection) Most of the time they are just sleeping. When the keeper entered the compound to pick one up, several came to him to be "selected."
This is a well respected sanctuary and I doubt they would ever do anything to compromise the safety of the animals. They all appeared to be very well cared for and the Kangaroos and Wallabies run free on the property choosing whether or not to interact with visitors. Some were very friendly and came right over, others were aloof and wanted nothing to do with us. They came and went on their own.
The father of the baby is a wild Koala that was hit by a car and had a shattered kneecap. He could not be returned to the wild and is prized for his dna/breeding ability so captive Koalas are not inbred. The mother was brought in from Darwin and was returned after the baby left the pouch.
This is not a "tourist trap" where busloads of tourists are paraded through, but a small, family run place that derives a portion of their income by allowing small groups to come into the park. I was happy that we could be there and think others would also enjoy the experience.