Australian sanctuary visited by Taylor Swift and Vladimir Putin BANS Koala cuddles

Ask anyone planning a trip to Australia – even Vladimir Putin – and cuddling a koala is likely to be high on their to-do list.

But now you have to avoid one popular zoo.

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Queensland was known for its ‘regular’ gatherings, which have been attended by celebrities including Taylor Swift, Pope John Paul II and the Russian president.

But the country has since banned the experience, saying it stresses the animals out, and cuddles are now being replaced by up-close encounters.

Lone Pine said in a statement: “The decision was made following increasingly positive feedback from visitors who are keen to spend more time with the sanctuary’s koalas… without necessarily holding them.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a koala before the G20 leaders’ conference at the Brisbane reserve in November 2014

Holding koalas was a popular photo opportunity at Lone Pine, which opened in 1927. However, the marsupials didn’t always make for happy snaps.

Jen Basham from the Queensland Conservation Council said: “Koalas are solitary, wild animals and can become stressed by interactions with people. We know that both Queenslanders and tourists are delighted when they encounter koalas, but nothing beats seeing them in their natural habitat.

“We are pleased with Lone Pine’s announcement and the direction they are heading.”

Suzanne Milthorpe, from the charity World Animal Protection, said koalas would find the cuddles “stressful”.

While she praised Lone Pine tourists for “moving away from old-fashioned, stressful selfies,” she called for a broader ban on the practice.

Pope John Paul II visits the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on November 25, 1986

Guns N Roses guitarist Saul Hudson, better known as Slash, holds his first koala at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Australia, August 22, 2012

Tennis player Roger Federer poses with a koala during a visit to the reserve on December 29, 2013

Tennis player Andy Roddick holds a koala during a media event at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in January 2010

Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia are the only states in the country where keeping koalas is permitted.

While it is not illegal to touch the endangered species, in most states it is not legal to physically support the weight of the animals.

Lyndon Discombe, Lone Pine’s Managing Director, said: ‘We love that both local and international guests are keen to experience the Australian outdoors up close. They don’t necessarily want to experience the real nature, they just want to do what they do best: eat, sleep and relax.’

He said he hoped the new experience would make guests “love and respect” koalas more.