Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia Zoo, located in Queensland, Australia, was founded in 1970 by Bob and Lyn Irwin. The zoo, originally known as Beerwah Reptile Park, started as a two-acre wildlife park that was home to native wildlife such as lace monitors, tiger snakes, freshwater crocodiles, magpie geese, and kangaroos. Over the years, the zoo expanded and changed its name several times before becoming the world-renowned Australia Zoo, known for its commitment to wildlife conservation and education.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founded by | Bob and Lyn Irwin |
| Date founded | 3 June 1970 |
| Original name | Beerwah Reptile Park |
| Original size | 2 acres |
| Original location | Queensland |
| Renamed | 1982 |
| New name | Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park |
| Year Australia Zoo name adopted | 1990s |
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What You'll Learn
Australia Zoo was founded in 1970 by Bob and Lyn Irwin
Australia Zoo, originally known as Beerwah Reptile Park, was founded on 3 June 1970 by Robert Eric Irwin, an Australian naturalist, animal conservationist, and herpetologist, and his wife, Lyn Hakainsson, a maternity nurse. Bob and Lyn Irwin's love and respect for wildlife were passed on to their three children, Joy, Steve, and Mandy.
The park started as a two-acre wildlife park that was home to native wildlife such as lace monitors, tiger snakes, freshwater crocodiles, magpie geese, and kangaroos. Many of the kangaroos were cared for in homemade pouches by Lyn, who was an extraordinary wildlife rehabilitator skilled in nursing injured and orphaned animals back to health.
In 1982, the park was renamed the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, and the area was expanded to eight acres. In 1987, the Crocodile Environmental Park was opened to aid in the protection of saltwater crocodiles. By the 1990s, the Crocodile Environmental Park had become very popular, known for its display of crocodile feedings. During this time, Bob and Lyn retired, and their son, Steve, and his wife, Terri, changed the name of the growing wildlife park to Australia Zoo.
As the popularity of Steve and Terri's wildlife documentary series, The Crocodile Hunter, grew, they put all the funds raised from filming and merchandise into conservation and building new exhibits. Their efforts transformed the zoo into a world-class attraction, spanning over 700 acres today. The zoo has won numerous awards, including the Australian Tourism Awards for 2003-2004 in the Major Tourist Attraction category.
In 2004, the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, established in an old avocado packing shed, was dedicated to Lyn, who had passed away in 2000. The hospital continues to rescue, rehabilitate, and release thousands of native Australian animals every year.
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It was originally called Beerwah Reptile Park
Australia Zoo, located in Queensland, Australia, was founded on 3 June 1970 by Bob and Lyn Irwin. The zoo was originally called Beerwah Reptile Park, and it started 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 Irwin, a renowned herpetologist, purchased four acres of land in Queensland to construct a wildlife refuge, which became the Beerwah Reptile Park. The park was home to a variety of reptiles and other wildlife, and it was here that their son, Steve Irwin, developed a deep connection with animals, helping his parents care for them from a young age.
In 1982, the park was renamed the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, and an additional four acres of land were purchased, doubling the size of the park. This expansion allowed for the creation of new exhibits and the housing of more animals, including crocodiles. By the 1990s, the Crocodile Environmental Park within the zoo had become very popular, especially for its display of crocodile feeding.
As Steve and his wife, Terri Irwin, gained popularity through their documentary series, "The Crocodile Hunter," they changed the name of their growing wildlife park to Australia Zoo. The success of the show and the zoo allowed them to put all the funds raised from filming and merchandise into conservation and building new exhibits. Today, Australia Zoo encompasses over 700 acres, with 110 acres on public display, and continues to be one of the leading zoos in the world, honouring Steve Irwin's legacy of wildlife conservation.
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The Crocodile Hunter series made the zoo famous
Australia Zoo, originally known as the Beerwah Reptile Park, was founded by Bob and Lyn Irwin on 3 June 1970. The Crocodile Hunter series, hosted by their son Steve Irwin and his wife Terri Irwin, later made the zoo famous.
Steve Irwin was born into the world of wildlife, helping his parents from a young age to care for crocodiles and reptiles and maintain the growing number of animals in the zoo. In 1982, the park was renamed the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, and in 1987, the Crocodile Environmental Park was opened to aid in saltwater crocodile protection. The Crocodile Environmental Park became very popular in the 1990s, with many visitors intrigued by its display of crocodile feeding.
Steve and Terri Irwin changed the name of their growing wildlife park to 'Australia Zoo' in the 1990s. The Crocodile Hunter documentary series, which first aired in 1992, played a significant role in putting the zoo on the map. The series showcased Steve and Terri's adventures, including their honeymoon crocodile rescue mission. The couple filmed over 300 episodes of The Crocodile Hunter, along with other shows like Croc Diaries, Croc Files, New Breed Vets, Ghosts of War, and Bindi: The Jungle Girl.
The popularity of The Crocodile Hunter series brought increased funds through tourism and merchandise sales. Staying true to their passion for wildlife conservation, Steve and Terri reinvested all the money raised from filming and merchandise sales into conservation efforts and building new exhibits. Their dedication to conservation led to the establishment of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, which was opened in 2004 and dedicated to Steve's mother, Lyn, who was an extraordinary wildlife rehabilitator. The hospital continues to play a crucial role in rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing thousands of native Australian animals every year.
The Crocodile Hunter series not only made Australia Zoo famous but also contributed to the broader mission of wildlife conservation. The series showcased Steve and Terri's passion for wildlife, inspiring people around the world to care about and protect animals. Today, the zoo encompasses over 700 acres, with a dedicated team of over 500 staff members continuing Steve's mission of "Conservation Through Exciting Education".
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The zoo now covers over 700 acres
Australia Zoo, founded in 1970 by Bob and Lyn Irwin, has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a two-acre wildlife park called Beerwah Reptile Park. The zoo now encompasses over 700 acres of land, with 110 acres on public display, making it one of the largest zoos in Australia. This expansion has allowed the zoo to create natural habitats for its animals and to establish itself as a world-class facility.
The growth of the zoo can be attributed to the success of Steve and Terri Irwin's wildlife documentary series, "The Crocodile Hunter," which brought in additional funds through filming and merchandise sales. Staying true to their philosophy, Steve and Terri reinvested all the profits back into the zoo, prioritising the animals, their team, and the visitor experience. This allowed them to purchase more land, build new exhibits, and create a world-class wildlife hospital, ensuring that the zoo could offer the best possible care for its animals.
In 2002, the zoo purchased 250 acres of Australian heathland to preserve the area's endangered flora and fauna. This conservation area is home to a diverse range of species, including black cockatoos, sugar gliders, acid frogs, and platypuses. As of 2015, Terri has continued to expand this conservation effort by purchasing an additional 33,000 acres of land.
The Irwin family's dedication to wildlife conservation and education is evident in the zoo's mission statement: "Conservation Through Exciting Education." With over 500 staff members, Australia Zoo continues to honour Steve Irwin's legacy as the "greatest Wildlife Warrior who ever lived," inspiring and educating visitors from all over the world.
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It has won multiple awards, including Australian Tourism Awards for 2003–2004
Australia Zoo, originally known as Beerwah Reptile Park, was founded by Bob and Lyn Irwin on 3 June 1970. The park started as a two-acre wildlife park that was home to native wildlife such as lace monitors, tiger snakes, freshwater crocodiles, magpie geese, and kangaroos.
Over the years, the park expanded and changed its name a few times. In 1982, it became the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, and in 1987, the Crocodile Environmental Park opened within the park to aid in saltwater crocodile protection. In the 1990s, the Crocodile Environmental Park gained popularity for its unique display of crocodile feedings. During this time, Bob and Lyn retired, and their son Steve and his wife Terri took over the park, renaming it Australia Zoo.
The zoo's popularity grew, in part due to the success of Steve and Terri's wildlife documentary series, The Crocodile Hunter. As the park grew, so did the Irwin family, with the births of their two children, Bindi in 1998 and Robert in 2003. Both children developed a deep love of wildlife, just like their parents.
Australia Zoo has won multiple awards, including the Australian Tourism Awards for 2003–2004 in the category of Major Tourist Attraction. This award recognises the zoo's dedication to providing a world-class experience for its visitors. The zoo has also been recognised for its conservation efforts, purchasing 250 acres of Australian heathland in 2002 to help preserve endangered flora and fauna.
In 2004, the Australian Animal Hospital, now known as the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, was opened next to the zoo. This facility was established from humble beginnings as an avocado packing shed and was dedicated to Lyn Irwin, who was skilled in nursing injured and orphaned animals. The hospital continues to play a crucial role in animal care and rehabilitation, rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing thousands of native Australian animals every year.
The Irwin family's legacy continues to honour Steve Irwin, who passed away in 2006. Terri, Bindi, and Robert remain dedicated to wildlife conservation and education, ensuring that Steve's mission of "Conservation Through Exciting Education" lives on.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia Zoo was founded on 3 June 1970 by Bob and Lyn Irwin under the name Beerwah Reptile Park.
The zoo started as a two-acre wildlife park that is now home to native wildlife such as lace monitors, tiger snakes, freshwater crocodiles, magpie geese and kangaroos.
In the 1990s, Steve and Terri Irwin changed the name of their growing wildlife park to Australia Zoo.
Terri Irwin, widow of Steve Irwin, owns the zoo.
Australia Zoo now encompasses over 700 acres, with 110 acres on public display.
