Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary- a Brisbane Institution

Donations for wildlife accepted

We finally got to the Lone Pine, a world reknowned Koala Sanctuary, rehab center and open air zoo since the 1920’s, that’s on the Brisbane River a few miles south of town. Koalas are an iconic symbol of wild Australia worldwide, although their historic range is only on the east coast of AU; centered in the Brisbane region. Their numbers are declining rapidly, mostly due to suburban sprawl, habitat loss, cars and pet dogs. The sanctuary does a great job of educating the public on the plight of Koalas and advocating for their future survival.

Family portrait, with the new kid…

When in Brisbane, it seems everyone gets their portrait taken with a live Koala, and I mean EVERYONE..The walls are covered with glossy photos of everyone from Pope John Paul to Eric Clapton and Taylor Swift…and of course those pesky Nolans…

Speaking of pesky, Owen freaked out as his turn came up, and we had to manuever quickly to get the near cameo above..The Koalas get a bit nervous when screaming starts, and they do have impressively long, and sharp claws….Queensland is the only place in Australia where it’s legal to hold a live Koala, and they have strict rules on exposure time etc. The Koalas used are actually doing their part in Koala research and rehab, as the portraits are a big money maker, and all proceeds go back to the Sanctuary’s work. So, good on you little Koala…!

The Sanctuary also has a wide range of Australian wildlife on view, including an amazing open air park where you can get up close and personal with kangaroos, wallabies, emus, lizards etc.. The kids of all ages absolutely loved it..!!

Red Tailed Black Cockatoo

Endangered, and prehistoric Southern Cassowary

A bird from another age…

A Wombat, medium hog sized

Hey Skippy….a baby Wallaby

Freshwater Crocodile

Quite possibly, the world’s cutest animal

Moving, big action for a Koala

Although there are lots of amazing animals to discover here, at the end of the day, it’s all about the Koalas. LPKS has around 130 at any given time living in open air enclosures and dining on fresh cut eucalyptus leaves; a nursery for Moms and babes, a bachelor pad, a clinic, even a retirement home. The Guiness Book of Records for oldest Koala was clinched here ( where else…?) A female lived to the ripe old age of 27…

Napping again…yawn…

Koalas, besides being cute, are yet another oddity from down under. Not a bear at all, a marsupial that gives birth to a live, single, bare, inch-long baby that crawls up into it’s mother’s pouch to further gestate, they are one of the few animals in the world that can eat eucalyptus leaves. Unfortunately, leaves so low in nutritional value and hard to digest that the little guys sleep around 19 hours a day just to save energy. They live solitary, sleepy lives and communicate via a low rumbling bellow or roar…

Just hanging around….

A koala bachelor party…..zzzzzz

Spooning a ‘Roo, another bucket list checked off…

My new buddy Skippy, looks dashing in the hat…

A big male (duh….) Eastern Grey, aka a “Boomer”…… 😉

So, one last round of Koala pix before signing off; they are really cute for sure, and it was a privilege to be able to get up so close and hold one….As a life list experience it was right up there with spooning the ‘roo….almost!

If any of you are ever in Brisbane, you really must make it out to the LPKS and add your picture to the wall of luminaries who have travelled from all corners of the globe to hold a live Koala..

Until next time, may memories of sleepy, fuzzy-eared, non-bears fill your dreams….ddu

My happiest moment……ever……..ddu

An American emergency doc's expat family adventures in Australia and New Zealand

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary- a Brisbane Institution

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