Major Hollywood star spotted cuddling up to a koala in Australia (2025)

20 shares

A major Hollywood starhas returned to Australia - and he's fallen head over heels for one of our cutest locals.

Jason Momoa, 45, was spotted cuddling up to a baby koala at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital on the Gold Coastas part of a heartwarming campaign to help save the endangered Aussie icon.

The Aquaman star is lending his voice to a new initiative between premium ice cream brand Nuii and environmental charity Wild Ark, aimed at rescuing and rehabilitating koalas who have been devastated by disease, deforestation and bushfires.

'They flew me down here to meet with the amazing teams that are helping out with our koalas, so we can have them for the next generation,' the actor said in a campaign video shot during his visit.

'I had an amazing time learning about them and the critical conservation they're doing here.'

Wearing a sleeveless tee that showed off his famously muscular frame, the Hollywood heartthrob couldn't hide his joy as he gently cradled a koala joey in his arms.

'Oh man. That's so cute,' he beamed. '[It's] a little baby!'

The visit wasn't all just snuggles.

Momoa also got hands-on, helping wildlife carers release a mother koala and her joey back into the wild, placing them gently onto a gum tree in the lush Gold Coast hinterland after they were treated by vets.

The beloved Aussie marsupial has seen numbers plummet in recent years, with experts warning they could be extinct in parts of Australia by 2050 unless urgent action is taken.

Diseases such as chlamydia, loss of habitat due to urban development, dog attacks, car strikes and climate disasters like bushfires have all contributed to their decline.

Momoa urged fans to donate to the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital to help fund lifesaving equipment and care for injured koalas.

Senior vet Dr Michael Pyne said having the actor on board was a major boost for the cause.

'The work we're doing to try and protect koalas from extinction in 2050 is so important,' he said.

'The koala chlamydial vaccine research we're conducting alongside Queensland University of Technology is in its fourth year, but the work is far from over, and we were thrilled to invite Mr Momoa inside the hospital to see the work we're doing and help us spread awareness,' he continued.

It's not the first time Momoa has made a splash in the Sunshine State.

The Hollywood star became a local favourite when Aquaman was filming in Queensland, with hordes of fans lining up for hours at the Gold Coast premiere just to score a selfie with him.

Jason MomoaGold Coast

Add your comment