Koala Park

Koala Park Sanctuary in West Pennant Hills, Sydney, Australia is a privately-owned wildlife park that was established in 1930 to help combat the declining koala population.

The sanctuary has a rich history dedicated towards the preservation and research of the animal's habitat. Visitors can stroll through the walk-through wildlife park with animals contained behind wire and cage style exhibits. The park has a diverse collection of animals, including kangaroos, wombats, cockatoos, echidnas, and native birds. Koalas are the star attraction alongside peacocks, little penguins, and dingoes.

During the day, the park offers visitors an opportunity to witness live sheep shearing exhibitions called "The Stockman's Camp," which also features Australian bush stories. The highlight of any visit is the state-abiding Koala Handling Time, where visitors can handle koalas up close and personal.

The Koala Park Sanctuary has a Koala Research Hospital that has been operating since 1930, which provides care for injured and sick native animals. The Hospital also conducts research on the conservation of animals and also provides education on the problems faced by koalas living close to human areas. The hospital is open to the public.

In December 2010, the Department of Primary Industries inspectors found issues at the Koala Park Sanctuary, including ageing and dirty animal exhibits, drainage problems, and out-of-date records. The inspectors issued a series of notices for the park to address those issues. Later, accusations emerged about animal suffering. In 2016, the RSPCA fined the sanctuary $75,000 and banned them from acquiring new koalas for six months due to a Koala found dehydrated and infected with chlamy