The World's Happiest Animal

On Rottnest Island, off the coast of Western Australia, a peculiar marsupial has captivated the hearts of Instagram users worldwide—and supported a booming tourism economy. The quokka, a close cousin of the kangaroo, rocketed to internet fame when tourists began taking selfies with the animal, which is unafraid of humans and appears to smile for pictures.

[awesomedez]

There's a curse with these type of things exploding in popularity. Too many tourists will endanger them and their habitat.

[TenThumbsProductions]

I tried the same thing with the honey badger, it didn't catch on.

[soundknight]

I hope this massive interaction doesn't change the animal sociology too much.

[kibble]

This worries me so much. Yosemite has a problem with obnoxious tourists not respecting wildlife and nature, and it's been detrimental to the environment. There's plenty more examples, that's just the one I'm personally connected to. I hope this doesn't end up hurting the animals.

[RhizometricReality]

This is how species go extinct so you better have protection plans

[dominotr]

As adorable as the Quokka is, putting them out there like this, and making them so tangible can't end well. Some secrets are best kept safe.

[funny-video-YouTube-channel]

Cute animal. Let's hope it will *prosper and live well* on their paradise island.

[mustardseed]

Oh for cryst sake, build a resort?! Leave Quokka's alone.

[awesomedez]

Why get so close? A regular picture is fine.

[sarahnguyentran]

The "dr. Doolittle" guy has some big talk about mindfulness and being on mobile phones when his life seems to revolve around getting close to wild animals for an instagram picture.

[clearlight]

Quokkas are the embodiment of happiness to observe from

[flipsolo]

14:17 Ms. Barblett is awesome! She gets it, and genuinely cares for quokkas

[lumen]

crying. I wish I could get this worried and emotional about vultures or something, but... it's not just the cuteness and the anthropomorphization, it's how trusting and fearless they are. that's what hurts.

I hate us. I wish we could close these guys off from us and leave them the heck alone.

[mrthaus]

Guys don't worry too much about tourists impacting Quokkas on Rottnest Island, they have been living with people for over 150 years now, and have had no significant issues to report. The only problems that arise are from mishandling by people and sickness caused by diet from poor food given to them by tourists. Both of those issues are well managed by the locals self-policing and rangers/guides. The island is protected from any visiting pets (pets are in fact banned to a 2km exclusion zone radius and aren't even allowed on boats). As shown in the video there's many rangers and guides protecting them from tourists. There are many protections in place on their main population at Rottnest. The Quokkas that are of concern live on the mainland and are predated upon by foxes and cats and other introduced species - and are impacted exactly zero by tourists.

[ancelrick]

RIP Quokka. Lost to the lust for money. I'll give it until 2030. behold the angles of death 5:45

[dRnky]

amazing reporting.. engaging, funny, informative.. just superb even with today's standards!

[LambentOrt]

"The best images are the ones that I've caught with my own eyes" #truth

[SeargentFirestone]

Selfies are definitive sign for humanity's downfall. They perfectly portrait people's stupidity and ignorance.

[quickfruits]

after watching this...
I AM WORRIED 😟

[CloakedC]

Imagine all the self conscious rats in the world wishing they were cuter so humans would love them more 😂