A koala has been flown from Germany to its new home in Edinburgh Zoo, sharing a cabin with shocked passengers on an airliner.

Tanami, a 19-month-old Queensland koala, was given his own seat on the 700-mile flight from Dusseldorf on Thursday.

The marsupial could not go in the hold as keepers had to keep an eye on him during the Eurowings flight.

Tanami is trading places with another male koala called Toorie, which is leaving Edinburgh Zoo for Duisburg Zoo.

The exchange is part of a breeding programme, and it is hoped Tanami will mate with female koalas in Edinburgh.

Keepers said the koala was "relaxed" on the flight in to Edinburgh Airport.

Darren McGarry, head of living collections at 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."

He added: "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.

"Toorie will be missed by everyone here at Edinburgh Zoo, but we are proud to see him playing his part in the conservation of the species."

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."

Tanami will go on display at Edinburgh Zoo in the coming weeks and months.

Koala numbers are in decline throughout the Eastern coast of Australia where they naturally occur, as their eucalyptus habitats are being destroyed.