Lyla Lindsey
Australia Zoo, founded by Bob and Lyn Irwin in 1970, has grown into a world-class zoo that employs over 500 staff and spans over 700 acres. The zoo has a rich history, starting as a reptile park and growing in popularity due to the fame of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. As the zoo expanded, it generated revenue through filming, merchandise, and tourism, with all profits reinvested into conservation and exhibit development. The zoo also engages in land deals, property acquisitions, and research initiatives to further its conservation goals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Revenue from filming and merchandise | Funding for conservation and new exhibits |
| Land deals with the government | Land swap for the development of an open-range safari attraction |
| Conference room rentals | Renting out conference rooms to generate operating funds |
| Animal hospital | A new $5 million hospital generates revenue through treatment |
| Tourism awards | Australian Tourism Awards for 2003–2004 in the Major Tourist Attraction category |
| Retirement packages | $1 million plus $100,000 per year for Bob Irwin, the zoo's founder |
| Conservation properties | Over 450,000 acres of protected habitat across Queensland |
| Staff | Over 500 employees |
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What You'll Learn
Revenue from filming and merchandise
Australia Zoo has several sources of revenue, including filming and merchandise. The zoo was opened by Bob and Lyn Irwin in 1970 under the name Beerwah Reptile and Fauna Park. Their son Steve Irwin, along with his wife Terri, transformed the wildlife park into the modern Australia Zoo. Steve, popularly known as "The Crocodile Hunter", attracted worldwide fame with his television show of the same name. The popularity of the show grew, and as filming generated extra funds, Steve and Terri channelled all the money raised from filming and merchandise into conservation efforts and building new exhibits.
The Crocodile Hunter show was renowned for its astonishing footage of Steve wrestling crocodiles. The Crocodile Environmental Park, opened in 1987, further bolstered the show's popularity as it was uniquely known for its display of crocodile feedings. The funds generated from the show were invested in creating habitats for the zoo animals, so they could be exhibited in natural environments.
Steve and Terri's efforts also extended to purchasing large areas of land for conservation. In 1994, Australia Zoo purchased 3,500 acres of land in Blackbutt, Queensland, known as Ironbark Station. The property was acquired to restore the dwindling koala habitat and increase their numbers. In addition, the zoo and the Irwin family protect over 450,000 acres of vital habitat across Queensland, including the 330,000-acre Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve.
The zoo has also expanded its facilities over the years. In 2004, the Australian Animal Hospital was opened next to the zoo, with a staff of 20 full-time workers and 80 volunteers, treating up to 6,000 animals per year. In 2008, a new $5 million animal hospital was inaugurated, claimed to be the largest wildlife hospital in the world. The zoo also entered into a land deal with the Government of Queensland in 2007, allowing for the development of an open-range safari attraction and expanding the zoo to a world-class standard.
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Land deals and expansion
Australia Zoo has expanded over the years through various land deals and purchases. The zoo was opened in 1970 by Bob and Lyn Irwin, who ran it as the Beerwah Reptile and Fauna Park. In 1982, the park was renamed the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, and its area was doubled with the purchase of an additional 4 acres (1.6 hectares) of land.
In 2007, the zoo entered into a land deal with the Government of Queensland, wherein they received a parcel of land from the Beerwah State Forest in exchange for transferring land near the Peachester State Forest to the government for forestry. This land swap allowed the zoo to develop an open-range safari attraction and expand to a world-class standard.
As of 2015, Terri Irwin, the current owner of the zoo and widow of Steve Irwin, purchased an additional 33,000 acres of land to expand the conservation habitat. This was in addition to the 117,174 acres of the conservation area developed to protect endangered species such as the woma python and yakka skink.
The zoo now encompasses over 700 acres and employs over 500 staff, continuing Steve Irwin's mission of "Conservation Through Exciting Education."
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Tourism awards and increased visitor numbers
Australia Zoo has won several awards and honours for its contributions to tourism and wildlife conservation. In 2003-2004, the zoo won the Australian Tourism Awards in the category of Major Tourist Attraction. This award recognized the zoo's growing popularity and success in attracting visitors from around the world.
The zoo's success and increased visitor numbers can be attributed to several factors, including the popularity of Steve Irwin, also known as "The Crocodile Hunter," and his hit television show, which brought worldwide attention to the zoo. The Irwin family's dedication to conservation and education has also played a significant role in the zoo's reputation and appeal to tourists.
Steve and Terri Irwin's commitment to reinvesting funds from filming and merchandise into the zoo's development and conservation efforts has resulted in the creation of world-class exhibits and habitats for the animals. This has enhanced the visitor experience and positioned Australia Zoo as a leader in wildlife conservation and education.
The zoo has also expanded its facilities and offerings over the years, including the establishment of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, dedicated to the memory of Steve Irwin's mother, Lyn Irwin, who was a pioneer in wildlife care and rehabilitation. The hospital has treated over 90,000 injured animals and is equipped with state-of-the-art veterinary facilities, contributing to the zoo's reputation as a leader in wildlife care.
In addition to the wildlife hospital, Australia Zoo has continued to expand and develop new attractions. In 2006, the zoo entered into a land deal with the Government of Queensland, acquiring land to develop an open-range safari attraction. This expansion elevated the zoo to world-class standards and attracted even more visitors.
The Irwin family's continued dedication to Steve Irwin's legacy and their commitment to conservation have ensured that Australia Zoo remains a top tourist destination. The zoo's focus on providing exciting and educational experiences while prioritizing the welfare of its animals has resulted in increased visitor numbers and a strong reputation in the tourism industry.
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Government grants and funding
The funding initiative recognised the significant role of zoos and aquariums in regional economies and their importance as major tourism drawcards. Furthermore, it supported the welfare of the animals in their care and acknowledged the environmental conservation efforts of these institutions. Eligible zoos could access grants covering up to six months of animal welfare operating costs, including animal feed, enclosures, health care, and utilities directly related to animal housing and care.
Furthermore, zoos impacted by COVID-19 that met specific criteria could apply for the JobKeeper program to assist with staffing costs. The Federal Tourism Minister, Simon Birmingham, emphasised that the funding would provide a lifeline for these popular tourism attractions, many of which had seen their revenue streams dry up during the pandemic. The final funding amount for each organisation was determined by its total operating costs, with Australia Zoo expecting to receive around $1 million in support.
In addition to this crisis funding, Australia Zoo has also benefited from government land deals that have facilitated its expansion. In 2007, the zoo entered into an agreement with the Government of Queensland, exchanging land from the Beerwah State Forest for land near the Peachester State Forest. This swap allowed the zoo to develop an open-range safari attraction and expand to a world-class standard.
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Conservation efforts and education initiatives
Australia Zoo's philosophy is that "zoo animals come first, the zoo team comes second, and the zoo visitors come third". The zoo has a strong focus on conservation and education initiatives, with extensive efforts made to create natural habitats for all its animals.
The zoo has a wildlife hospital that treated its 90,000th injured animal during the 2019-2020 Australian bushfire season. The hospital has two operating theatres, two treatment rooms, intensive care units for various species, an X-ray room, and public areas. The hospital is a significant source of funding for the zoo, with a conference room that is rented out to generate operating funds.
The zoo also has a research facility that hosts conservation and education groups working to conserve the habitats of the species found there. The facility has 35 different ecosystems on the property, providing a home to a variety of unique wildlife, including the endangered Queensland subspecies of woma python and the vulnerable koala.
In addition to its on-site conservation efforts, Australia Zoo has also purchased and protected over 450,000 acres of vital habitat across Queensland. One of these properties, the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, comprises 330,000 acres of rainforests, wetlands, and savannahs. The Irwin family fought to protect this reserve from mining interests, ensuring the preservation of the unique flora and fauna found there.
The zoo also has a history of conservation efforts dating back to its founding by Bob Irwin and Lyn Irwin in 1970. Bob Irwin is a renowned herpetologist, and Lyn Irwin was one of the first to care for and rehabilitate sick and injured wildlife in southeast Queensland. Their son Steve, who later took over the zoo with his wife Terri, had helped his parents since childhood to care for the growing number of animals.
The zoo has continued to expand and improve its facilities, including through a land deal with the Government of Queensland in 2007, which allowed for the development of an open-range safari attraction.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia Zoo was opened by Bob and Lyn Irwin in 1970 under the name Beerwah Reptile and Fauna Park. Their son Steve had helped his parents since childhood to care for the animals in the zoo. In 1992, Bob and Lyn handed over ownership of the zoo to Steve and his wife, Terri.
As the popularity of Steve Irwin's show, The Crocodile Hunter, grew, Steve and Terri changed the name of the wildlife park to Australia Zoo. They put all the money raised from filming and merchandise into conservation and building new exhibits.
Terri became the new owner of the zoo and continued to expand the park. She also led a campaign to protect the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve from mining.
Australia Zoo encompasses over 700 acres and employs over 500 staff. They continue to generate revenue through ticket sales, merchandise, and partnerships with conservation groups.
There were rumours in 2007 that the zoo would be sold to Animal Planet to create a $100 million Disney-style wildlife theme park. However, Terri Irwin publicly denied these claims and stated that she has no plans to sell the zoo.
