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Australia Zoo was founded by Bob Irwin, Steve Irwin's father, in 1970 as Beerwah Reptile Park. In 1992, Bob and his first wife, Lyn, handed over ownership of the zoo to Steve and his wife, Terri. The zoo was then renamed 'Australia Zoo'. Steve and Terri's television fame as wildlife warriors and hosts of 'The Crocodile Hunter' helped the zoo become an extremely popular tourist destination. After Steve's death in 2006, Terri became the sole owner of the zoo.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who founded Australia Zoo? | Bob Irwin |
| Year founded | 3 June 1970 |
| Original name | Beerwah Reptile Park |
| Who owned the zoo after Bob Irwin? | Steve Irwin and Terri Irwin |
| Who owns the zoo now? | Terri Irwin |
| Who are the children of Steve and Terri Irwin? | Bindi Irwin and Robert Irwin |
| When did Steve Irwin die? | 2006 |
| Why did Bob Irwin leave Australia Zoo? | Concerns about overcommercialisation |
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What You'll Learn
- Steve Irwin's father, Bob Irwin, founded Australia Zoo in 1970 as Beerwah Reptile Park
- In 1992, Bob and his first wife, Lyn, handed ownership of the zoo to Steve and his wife, Terri
- Steve and Terri expanded the zoo, investing profits from Steve's TV work and merchandise into new exhibits
- In 2006, Steve Irwin died, and Terri became the sole owner of Australia Zoo
- Terri and Steve's children, Bindi and Robert, continue to work in wildlife conservation
Steve Irwin's father, Bob Irwin, founded Australia Zoo in 1970 as Beerwah Reptile Park
Steve Irwin's father, Bob Irwin, founded Australia Zoo in 1970 as the Beerwah Reptile Park. The zoo began as a two-acre wildlife park that was home to native wildlife such as lace monitors, tiger snakes, freshwater crocodiles, magpie geese, and kangaroos. Bob and his first wife, Lyn Irwin, ran the zoo until 1992 when they handed over ownership to their son Steve and his wife Terri.
Steve and Terri Irwin transformed the wildlife park into the modern Australia Zoo, with the extra funds generated from filming Steve's television work as 'The Crocodile Hunter' allowing them to build new exhibits and expand the zoo. The couple put all the money raised from filming and merchandise into conservation and building new exhibits, with their philosophy being that the "zoo animals came first, the zoo team came second, and the zoo visitors came third".
In 2006, Steve Irwin died in a tragic accident while filming a wildlife documentary, leaving Terri as the sole owner of the zoo. Bob Irwin left Australia Zoo in 2008, receiving a $1 million package plus a $100,000 per year pension as part of his retirement package. Bob's departure from the zoo was abrupt, with reports suggesting he was upset with the direction of the zoo and his granddaughter Bindi's growing media profile.
Despite the family rift, the Irwin family has continued Steve's mission of "Conservation Through Exciting Education" at Australia Zoo, which now encompasses over 700 acres and employs over 500 staff.
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In 1992, Bob and his first wife, Lyn, handed ownership of the zoo to Steve and his wife, Terri
Bob Irwin, Steve Irwin's father, founded Australia Zoo in 1970 as Beerwah Reptile Park. In 1992, Bob and his first wife, Lyn, handed ownership of the zoo to their son Steve and his wife, Terri. This was due to an earlier financial arrangement, as Steve and Terri were unable to afford the $300,000 required to purchase the zoo. Instead, they agreed to a retirement package for Bob and Lyn, whereby they would pay them a wage for the rest of their lives.
Steve and Terri transformed the wildlife park into the modern Australia Zoo, with the extra funds generated from Steve's television fame as 'The Crocodile Hunter' and the couple's documentary series. Their philosophy was that "the zoo animals came first, the zoo team came second, and the zoo visitors came third". They expanded the zoo with new exhibits, a management team, and around 50 new staff members.
In 2006, Steve Irwin died in a tragic accident while filming a wildlife documentary. Terri became the sole owner of the zoo, and she, along with their children Bindi and Robert, continued Steve's mission of "Conservation Through Exciting Education".
Bob Irwin left Australia Zoo in 2008, receiving a $1 million package and a $100,000-per-year pension. He has been estranged from his daughter-in-law Terri and his grandchildren Bindi and Robert since his departure, and Bindi has accused him of "psychological abuse".
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Steve and Terri expanded the zoo, investing profits from Steve's TV work and merchandise into new exhibits
Steve and Terri Irwin embarked on a mission to expand the Australia Zoo, investing profits from Steve's TV work and merchandise sales into new exhibits and conservation efforts. The couple's success in media and merchandise allowed them to pour funds back into the zoo, which they had received as a wedding gift.
Steve and Terri's media endeavours included filming the popular TV wildlife documentary series, "The Crocodile Hunter." They also filmed over 300 episodes of other shows, including "Croc Diaries," "Croc Files," "New Breed Vets," "Ghosts of War," and "Bindi: The Jungle Girl." In 2002, they released a feature film, "The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course." The Crocodile Hunter series was particularly significant as it began with the couple's honeymoon, during which they embarked on a crocodile rescue mission and filmed the experience.
The profits from these media ventures were channelled into expanding and improving the zoo. One notable investment was the establishment of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, which was dedicated to Steve's mother, Lynn Irwin, in 2004. This world-class facility, designed by WD Architects, covers 1,300 square metres and can care for up to 10,000 animals annually. It includes two operating theatres, two treatment rooms, intensive care units for various species, and an X-ray room.
In addition to the hospital, the Irwins also constructed new exhibits to showcase their growing collection of animals. One such exhibit is Elephantasia, a 12-acre Asian-themed enclosure that opened in 2006 and is the largest elephant enclosure in Australia. It features a wading pool with a fountain and tropical gardens with shaded areas for the zoo's elephants. The Rainforest Aviary is another impressive addition, housing about 150 birds, most of which are native to Australia. This outdoor walk-through aviary is adjacent to the Birds of Prey aviary, which holds various species of raptors and other predatory birds.
The Irwin family's dedication to conservation and education drove their expansion efforts, ensuring that the zoo continued to thrive and offer exciting experiences for its visitors while prioritising the welfare of its animals and staff.
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In 2006, Steve Irwin died, and Terri became the sole owner of Australia Zoo
Australia Zoo was originally opened by Bob and Lyn Irwin on 3 June 1970 under the name Beerwah Reptile Park. The zoo was passed on to their son, Steve Irwin, and his wife, Terri, in 1992. Steve and Terri renamed the zoo 'Australia Zoo' and expanded the park with the creation of a management team and the hiring of around 50 staff. They also put all the money raised from filming and merchandise into conservation and building new exhibits.
Steve Irwin, known as 'The Crocodile Hunter', tragically died in 2006 at the age of 44 in a freak accident while filming a wildlife documentary in Batt Reef, Queensland. Following his death, Terri became the sole owner of Australia Zoo. The zoo has continued to expand and now encompasses over 700 acres and employs over 500 staff, honouring Steve's mission of "Conservation Through Exciting Education".
The Irwin family has been at the centre of some controversy due to their estranged relationship with Steve's father, Bob Irwin. Bob resigned from Australia Zoo in 2008 and has not been in contact with Terri or his grandchildren since. There have been disputes over the ownership of the zoo, with some suggesting that Terri is not the rightful owner. Despite the backlash, Terri and her children, Bindi and Robert, have continued to honour Steve's legacy and ensure that his passion for wildlife conservation lives on.
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Terri and Steve's children, Bindi and Robert, continue to work in wildlife conservation
Steve Irwin, also known as the original "Wildlife Warrior", tragically passed away in 2006 at the age of 44. He was pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef. Irwin's widow, Terri, and their two children, Bindi and Robert, have since continued his conservation work at Australia Zoo.
Bindi Sue Irwin, born on 24 July 1998, is a passionate wildlife conservationist who has inherited her parents' love for wildlife and wild places. She is a TV presenter, having made her television debut on her father's show, The Crocodile Hunter, and has also appeared on Bindi: The Jungle Girl and Crikey! It's the Irwins. Bindi is a loving wife to Chandler Powell, and a mother to their daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, born in 2021. Grace's middle names, Warrior Irwin, are a tribute to Bindi's father and his legacy as a Wildlife Warrior.
Robert Clarence Irwin, born on 1 December 2003, is also a passionate wildlife conservationist and nature photographer. He works at Australia Zoo, where he enjoys wildlife photography, feeding crocodiles, and learning about the world around him. He also takes part in the annual Australia Zoo crocodile research trip on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Far North Queensland, Australia. In addition to his work behind the lens, Robert appears in front of the camera as a TV presenter, following in his father's footsteps.
Both Bindi and Robert are dedicated to protecting wildlife and ensuring that their father's legacy lives on. They, alongside their mother Terri, have faced some controversy due to their estranged relationship with Steve's father, Bob Irwin, who has not seen his daughter-in-law or grandchildren since resigning from Australia Zoo in 2008. Despite this, they remain focused on their conservation efforts and spreading Steve's message through their nonprofit organisation, Wildlife Warriors.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia Zoo was founded by Steve Irwin's father, Bob Irwin, in 1970. It was originally called Beerwah Reptile Park.
Terri Irwin, Steve's wife, became the sole owner of the zoo in September 2006 after Steve died in an accident while filming a wildlife documentary.
The Australia Zoo now encompasses over 700 acres and employs over 500 staff, continuing Steve’s mission of “Conservation Through Exciting Education”.
