A tourist proudly holding a wombat at an Australian zoo has ignited a debate about whether the practice should be banned.
While the video was a positive review of the experience at Taralga Wildlife Park in regional NSW and has garnered more than 40,000 likes, some Australians couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
Many wildlife protection charities say the practice is unnatural for animals and can cause them distress, but those who run such parks insist the creatures are fine.
“Notice to all NON Australians, do not attempt to pat or lift wild wombats. It will not go well for you,” one top comment warned, advising that in the wild, such a scene would not look so cute.
“It isn’t ethical to pick up wombats like that. Their teeth can cause serious damage. They aren’t teddies they are animals,” another person argued.
“Wombats are not cats or dogs and are not just toys to be picked up. Give them space and enjoy just a pat,” added a third.
Others against the activity wrote, “this is wildlife, not a pet. I hate things like this” and “wild animals are not toys to play with”.
One woman claiming to volunteer at the zoo assured viewers that the older wombat in the video, named Wilma, “loves being picked up”.
The sudden attention came as a surprise to Taralga Wildlife Park owner John Stafford. He told news.com.au the animals’ welfare is always the top priority.
“We don’t advertise, promote or charge for wombat encounters but we do do them if it’s viable on the day,” he said.
Mr Stafford, who was once the local mayor, acknowledged it was important to be aware of people’s changing perspectives.
Only two of the zoo’s wombats, Wilma and Karl, are handled by visitors and Mr Stafford said as they get older, that would stop. Wombats can grow up to 40kg in weight.
He said they were hand-reared and “here for a lifetime” with Taralga Wildlife Park’s goal of providing the best accommodation and welfare for them that they could.
“That’s what we’re about,” he said.
Wombats are not always loved by humans. They are sometimes seen as agricultural pests by farmers and shot.
People may have been surprised to see you can cuddle wombats in NSW, as like in most Australian states, it is illegal to hold a koala.
However, in some zoos or sanctuaries in NSW there are legal opportunities to take photos and touch a koala while the animal is on a fixed perch.
Those in support of animal handling encounters often argue the interactions help with educating the public and raising much needed money.
But World Animal Protection Australia has been advocating for an end to direct animal visitor interactions since 2022 when it released its ‘Too Close for Comfort’ report on the issue.
Suzanne Milthorpe, the charity’s head of campaigns, told news.com.au “wombats are not a photo prop or play thing”.
“They never evolved to be comfortable when close to humans, and many experience distress when they’re handled. Promoting ‘wombat cuddles’ does not aid conservation,” she said.
“The reality is that people pay to cuddle a wombat or a koala because they love them, but they are unaware of the silent suffering these animals endure.”
Ms Milthorpe said Queensland’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary ended koala cuddling in July this year, despite it still being legal in the state, was “clear evidence of changing community attitudes”.
“The future of Australian wildlife tourism is seeing wild animals in their natural habitat,” Ms Milthorpe said.
“Tourists are increasingly moving away from outdated, stressful direct encounters with wild animals.”
