Passengers stunned as koala joins them on Edinburgh bound flight

Plane passengers flying to Edinburgh had a surprise Antipodean traveller in their cabin - a koala heading for the city's zoo.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Aug 2018, 11:37 BST
Updated 10th Aug 2018, 16:08 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

The 19-month-old Queensland koala had his own seat on the flight as the sensitive animals cannot be placed in the hold.

Tanami travelled more than 700 miles from Duisburg Zoo in Germany to join Scotland’s only koalas in a conservation breeding programme.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He is switching places with Toorie, Edinburgh Zoo’s young male koala, who will be making the return flight to Dusseldorf next week.

Passengers on a plane from Dusselforf were surprised to be sharing the cabin with a koala bound for Edinburgh Zoo. Picture: RZSS Edinburgh ZooPassengers on a plane from Dusselforf were surprised to be sharing the cabin with a koala bound for Edinburgh Zoo. Picture: RZSS Edinburgh Zoo
Passengers on a plane from Dusselforf were surprised to be sharing the cabin with a koala bound for Edinburgh Zoo. Picture: RZSS Edinburgh Zoo

Darren McGarry, head of living collections at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, said: “Koalas are very sensitive animals, so special care needs to be taken when transporting them.

“They travel in the plane’s cabin and not in the hold so keepers can easily make sure everything’s okay during the flight.

“We are very excited to have Tanami join us here at the zoo. Koalas are a real favourite among our visitors and it’s great to see him settling in well and enjoying his new surroundings.”

Viewings of the new arrival will be restricted this weekend as he gets used to his new home.

19-month-old Queensland koala Tanami has arrived in Edinburgh. Picture: RZSS Edinburgh Zoo19-month-old Queensland koala Tanami has arrived in Edinburgh. Picture: RZSS Edinburgh Zoo
19-month-old Queensland koala Tanami has arrived in Edinburgh. Picture: RZSS Edinburgh Zoo

Mr McGarry added: “Toorie will be missed by everyone here at Edinburgh Zoo but we are proud to see him playing his part in the conservation of the species.”

Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar hailed the special passenger.

He said: “We welcome passengers from all over the world to Edinburgh Airport but not all of them are as special or as cute as a koala.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It was quite exciting to have Tanami arriving here and he joins a list of famous animals who have touched down here to make Edinburgh Zoo their new home.”

Visitors can look forward to seeing Tanami in the coming weeks. Picture: RZSS Edinburgh ZooVisitors can look forward to seeing Tanami in the coming weeks. Picture: RZSS Edinburgh Zoo
Visitors can look forward to seeing Tanami in the coming weeks. Picture: RZSS Edinburgh Zoo

Koala numbers are falling in the native habitat of eastern Australia as the eucalyptus forest they depend on are being cut down.

Join our Facebook group Our Edinburgh to share images and news from and around the Capital

Related topics:Edinburgh