Koala joins passengers on flight to Edinburgh

A koala has flown in style as it makes its way to Edinburgh Zoo.

Tanami took a passenger seat on the flight from Dusseldorf to the Scottish capital on Thursday.

He had to be looked after by zookeepers during the journey so could not be kept in the hold.

The animal is trading places with another koala called Toorie, which is leaving Edinburgh Zoo for Duisburg 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."

Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, 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! 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.”