Do koalas like to be hand held by humans?

Answer 1

Some do.

The koala's native habitat is eucalyptus bushland. Increasingly, this land is being cleared for housing, which means that man encroaches upon the koala's territory. It is not unusual for people who live in areas bordering bushland to have koalas come into their yard, as koalas move regularly between a range of home trees. In some areas, koalas are constantly at risk of being run over as they seek to cross roads which have cut through their territory.

Answer 2

Wild koalas do not like to be hand held. One should never approach a wild koala, as it is very likely to inflict deep and painful scratches.

In koala sanctuaries and zoos, only some of the koalas are hand-raised and therefore used to be handled. These tolerate it quite well, but they prefer to be left alone in their trees.

Answer 3

Generally, koalas will avoid people. They are not social animals, and stay away from people, although they inhabit bushalnd and trees in suburban areas, as well as less populated areas. The incidents early in 2009 involving the burnt koala that drank water from a fireman's water bottle, and the koala that sought relief in a bucket of water in someone's backyard in Victoria during the intense heat, are highly unusual, and show the desperation of these helpless animals at the time.

Answer 4

Koalas pose no threat to humans. They do not attack without provocation, although they will defend themselves. Nor do they carry diseases which are transmissible to humans.

Answer 5

Koalas are generally quite wary of humans. In dire conditions, however, they have been known to approach humans for help.

Answer 6

Koalas are afraid of predatorial animals.