Brisbane’s Lone Pine Sanctuary, once host to the world’s biggest names, ends its koala-holding experience

Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where some of the world’s biggest celebrities have had the opportunity to cuddle the furry marsupial, has ended its koala-holding experience.

Pop megastar Taylor Swift, boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and tennis champions Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, as well as the wives of world leaders, have been among those to hold koalas at the animal sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket in the inner west.

Lone Pine bosses stopped offering koala holding to visitors on Monday, saying there had been a “shift” from people once being content to just observing them in their habitat, to wanting to hold the animals.

“We love that there is a shift among both local and international guests to experience Australian wildlife up close,” general manager Lyndon Discombe said.

“We have absolutely seen an increase in demand for educational programs and guided experiences, focusing on the ability to witness the natural behaviours of koalas.”

Discombe said it was hoped guests would “love and respect them even more” when they see them “in their wonderful natural state”.

The sanctuary will instead offer a new experience called “Koala Close-Up”, which will focus on “meaningful connections and extended time in the presence of the sanctuary’s beautiful koalas”.

The Zoo and Aquarium Association of Australia has supported the sanctuary’s decision as a win for the animal’s mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.

The koala-holding photo opportunity was a staple for promotional events for tennis’ Brisbane International in years gone by, while Swift held a koala when she visited in 2009, as did famous guitarist Slash when he toured in 2012.

During the G20 world leaders’ summit in 2014, Peng Liyuan, wife of China’s President Xi Jinping, and Irana Joko Widodo, wife of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, were among those to hold a koala at the sanctuary.