Following a ten-month stay at Singapore Zoo, Qantas has flown Paddle, Pellita, Chan and Idalia back to their Brisbane home at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

The four Australian koalas have returned to their Brisbane home following a hugely successful diplomatic relations mission. The koalas were gifted on loan to Singapore Zoo from the Australian Government to celebrate Singapore’s 50th anniversary of independence as well as 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“Koala-mania” saw a surge in visitor numbers to Singapore Zoo, which developed a special exhibit to house the koalas, with over 800,000 guests visiting between May to December 2015. The Australian Zone in Singapore Zoo is currently being revamped, and will feature other Australian animals when it re-opens.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary worked closely with both Qantas Freight and Singapore Zoo for their travel and stay overseas. Twice a week, Qantas Freight shipped gum leaves to the Singapore Zoo, supplying regular fresh food for the koalas.

To prepare each shipment of gum leaves for export, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary would wash every branch harvested the day prior to shipment. Each load was certified by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

Since the koalas’ arrival in April 2015, Qantas freighted 75 shipments of gum leaf foliage, weighing over 4,400kgs.

Qantas crew member Beti Koltovski gave the koalas their Joey Passport and boarding pass prior to their departure from Singapore.

The welfare of the koalas that have been loaned by Australia to Singapore, remains Qantas’ primary concern. The filming did not necessitate any disturbance to the animals and was completed under the supervision of Singapore Zoo