Lexi Webster
Australia Zoo is a 100-acre zoo located in Queensland, Australia. It was opened by Bob and Lyn Irwin in 1970 under the name Beerwah Reptile Park. Their son, Steve Irwin, helped his parents care for the crocodiles and reptiles and maintain the growing number of animals in the zoo. After Steve Irwin's accidental death, his widow Terri Irwin became the new owner of the zoo. Australia Zoo Pty Ltd owns the business, while the land on which the zoo is located is owned by Silverback Properties Pty Ltd. Terri Irwin has single-handedly kept the zoo afloat for 16 years. However, there have been talks about her selling the zoo, which was originally meant to be handed over to Steve and Terri's eldest child, Bindi.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Owner of Australia Zoo | Terri Irwin |
| Previous owner of Australia Zoo | Steve Irwin |
| Owner of the land on which Australia Zoo is located | Silverback Properties Pty Ltd |
| Business owner of Australia Zoo | Australia Zoo Pty Ltd |
| Year Australia Zoo was opened | 3 June 1970 |
| Previous name of Australia Zoo | Beerwah Reptile Park |
| Area of land encompassed by Australia Zoo | Over 700 acres |
| Number of staff employed by Australia Zoo | Over 500 |
| Number of animals in Australia Zoo | Over 1,200 |
| Location of Australia Zoo | An hour north of Brisbane on Queensland's Sunshine Coast |
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What You'll Learn
Australia Zoo's ownership history
Australia Zoo was founded by Bob and Lyn Irwin on 3 June 1970 under the name Beerwah Reptile Park. Bob is a world-renowned herpetologist, and Lyn was one of the first to care for and rehabilitate sick and injured wildlife in southeast Queensland. The park was home to native wildlife such as lace monitors, tiger snakes, freshwater crocodiles, magpie geese and kangaroos.
In 1982, the park was renamed the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park and the area was doubled with the purchase of another 4 acres (1.6 ha). In 1987, the Crocodile Environmental Park was opened to aid saltwater crocodile protection. By the 1990s, the Crocodile Environmental Park had become very popular due to its display of crocodile feedings. The area was mainly used to house adult saltwater crocodiles that had been captured and relocated from the wild.
In 1992, Bob and Lyn Irwin handed over ownership of the zoo to their son, Steve Irwin, and his wife, Terri Irwin. Steve and Terri changed the name of the park to Australia Zoo and expanded it with the creation of a management team and the hiring of around 50 staff. They put all the money raised from filming and merchandise into conservation and building new exhibits.
In 2006, Steve Irwin died in a freak accident while filming a wildlife documentary, and Terri became the sole owner of the zoo. Terri, along with her children, Bindi and Robert, continue Steve's mission of "Conservation Through Exciting Education".
In 2008, Bob Irwin received a $1 million package when he departed the zoo, along with a $100,000 per year pension. The zoo has continued to expand and now encompasses over 700 acres, employing over 500 staff.
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Terri Irwin's potential sale of the zoo
Australia Zoo is owned by Australia Zoo Pty Ltd, while the land on which the zoo is located and most of the surrounding area are owned by Silverback Properties Pty Ltd. Terri Irwin became the owner of the zoo after her husband, Steve Irwin, passed away from a stingray accident.
Terri Irwin has not indicated any plans to sell the zoo. On the contrary, she, alongside her children Bindi and Robert, continue to uphold Steve Irwin's legacy and his mission of "Conservation Through Exciting Education". They have expanded the zoo's conservation efforts and have been recognised with several awards, including the RACQ People's Choice Award – Experience & Services in 2019.
The Irwin family has also continued to develop the zoo's facilities and exhibits. In 2008, a new $5 million animal hospital, claimed to be the largest wildlife hospital in the world, was opened. The zoo has also opened new exhibits, such as the African Safari exhibit in 2011, showcasing animals interacting in a replica of the Serengeti ecosystem.
Australia Zoo has grown to encompass over 700 acres and employs over 500 staff members. It remains a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its wide variety of animals, hands-on animal encounters, and unique experiences. The zoo's success and impact on wildlife conservation can be attributed to the Irwin family's dedication and continued ownership.
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The Irwin family's involvement
Australia Zoo was opened by Bob and Lyn Irwin on 3 June 1970 under the name Beerwah Reptile Park. Bob is a world-renowned herpetologist, and Lyn was one of the first to care for and rehabilitate sick and injured wildlife in southeast Queensland.
Steve Irwin, born in 1962, grew up helping his parents at the Beerwah Reptile Park. He demonstrated an uncanny gift with wildlife from a very young age. In the 1990s, Steve's parents retired, and he and his wife Terri changed the name of the wildlife park to 'Australia Zoo'. Steve and Terri's mission was to make the zoo the very best in Australia, if not the world. They established the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, which was dedicated to Steve's mother in 2004.
Steve and Terri had two children, Bindi, born in 1998, and Robert, born in 2003. Both Bindi and Robert developed a deep love of wildlife, just like their parents. Bindi is a passionate wildlife conservationist, and Robert works at the zoo as a nature photographer and TV presenter.
Following Steve's accidental death in 2006, Terri became the new owner of the zoo. Today, Terri, Bindi, and Robert honour Steve's legacy and continue his mission of "Conservation Through Exciting Education". Australia Zoo now encompasses over 700 acres and employs over 500 staff.
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The zoo's business operations
Australia Zoo is owned by Australia Zoo Pty Ltd, while the land on which the zoo is located is owned by Silverback Properties Pty Ltd. The zoo was opened by Bob and Lyn Irwin in 1970 under the name Beerwah Reptile Park. The Irwin family has played a significant role in the zoo's history, with Steve and Terri Irwin changing the name to 'Australia Zoo' in the 1990s as their wildlife park grew in popularity.
The zoo has expanded over the years and now encompasses over 700 acres, employing more than 500 staff members. It is located an hour north of Brisbane on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. The zoo has a diverse range of animals, including birds, mammals, and reptiles, with a focus on providing natural habitats for its inhabitants.
One of the key features of the zoo is the 'Mount Franklin Crocoseum' stadium, which has a seating capacity of 5,000 and is used for animal shows and concerts. The zoo also offers hands-on animal encounters and experiences, contributing to its popularity and awards in the tourism industry.
In terms of business operations, the zoo generates revenue through ticket sales, merchandise, and other income streams. The zoo has also received support from the government, with a land deal in 2007 that allowed for the development of an open-range safari attraction, enhancing its appeal.
The zoo has a strong focus on conservation and education, with a mission to set world-class practices for animal care and sustainability. This is evident through initiatives such as the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, which provides care and rehabilitation for injured and sick wildlife. The Irwin family has also contributed to conservation efforts, with profits from filming and merchandise being invested back into conservation projects.
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The zoo's expansion over time
Australia Zoo was opened by Bob and Lyn Irwin on 3 June 1970 under the name Beerwah Reptile Park. Bob is a world-renowned herpetologist, and Lyn was one of the first to care for and rehabilitate sick and injured wildlife in southeast Queensland. Their son, Steve Irwin, grew up helping his parents at the park and developed a deep love and understanding of wildlife.
In the 1990s, Steve and his wife Terri changed the name of the park to 'Australia Zoo'. The zoo expanded as the Irwin family grew, with the births of their two children, Bindi in 1998 and Robert in 2003. The zoo's mission was to become the best wildlife conservation facility in the world, with a focus on creating natural habitats for the animals. As their popularity and funding grew, they established the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital in 2004, dedicating it to Steve's mother.
In 2005, the zoo opened a new exhibit for meerkats and Sumatran tigers, built to resemble the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia, with an underwater viewing area. The following year, they opened Elephantasia, a 12-acre Asian-themed exhibit, which is the largest elephant enclosure in Australia. In 2007, the zoo made a land deal with the Government of Queensland, acquiring more land to develop an open-range safari attraction, further expanding the zoo.
In 2008, a new $5 million animal hospital opened, claimed to be the largest wildlife hospital in the world. In 2011, the zoo opened its African Safari exhibit, a replica of the Serengeti ecosystem, showcasing giraffes, zebras, and rhinos interacting as they would in the wild. The zoo has continued to expand, now encompassing over 700 acres and employing over 500 staff, with a focus on conservation and education.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia Zoo was owned by Steve and Terri Irwin. Following Steve's death, Terri became the sole owner.
Australia Zoo was opened by Bob and Lyn Irwin on 3 June 1970 under the name Beerwah Reptile Park.
The land on which Australia Zoo is located, and most of the surrounding area, is owned by Silverback Properties Pty Ltd.
