Image Source: Australia Zoo
Our vision is that Australia Zoo will become the ultimate global zoological destination and in doing so, become world leaders in conservation, relating to both wildlife and their habitat. – Australia Zoo mission.
Started in 1970, June 3 by Steve Irwin’s parents under the name, Beerwah Reptile and Fauna Park, then Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, and finally Australia Zoo in 1998. The zoo has grew steadily over the years to accommodate animals that has been rescued all over Australia, and through donations and funds raised through Steve and Terri’s documentary, it is now a sprawling 1,000 hectare facility. It is home to a wide variety of birds, mammals and reptiles, but most importantly Steve’s beloved saltwater crocodiles.
Using the zoo as a place to educate and advocate the public about Australia’s plethora of wildlife, visitors are able to interact with and feed Australia’s iconic marsupial such as the Koala and Wallabies. Additionally, there are also roving animal teams, bringing around animals such as alligators, birds, snakes, and lizards for the visitors to have close encounters. Since the zoo aims to spread conservation consciousness, by giving the visitors precious memories of their interaction with the animal in habitats that are as natural as possible would undoubtedly increase individuals’ environmental identity.
Image Source: Australia Zoo
The zoo is split up into many areas that focuses on different animals from different parts of the world, but the most iconic attraction has to be the Crocoseum. Being the first attraction in the world to feature performances by snakes, birds and crocodiles, it’s aim was to show visitors that when armed with the proper knowledge and training, nature can be controlled, and with control, then one can come to admire the beauty and majesty of the creatures that Steve had fell in love with. Seeing the crocodile handlers confidently and smartly handling the animals, I believe it was Steve’s desire to show how with the proper knowledge and training these massive crocodiles are nothing to be afraid of.
Robert is also the initiator of the Crikey club that allows its members to get an all access to Australia Zoo’s operations, and the main attraction of it, is the expeditions. As mentioned, the Australia Zoo is the proud owner of the world’s leading research in Crocodiles, and being apart of the club allows the public to see the crocodiles in their natural habitat, and also help assist future studies of the massive reptile. Their expedition happens within the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, an area given to the zoo after Steve’s death by the Queensland Government. It is twice the size of Singapore!
They also participate in many conservation activity across the globe, mirroring Steve Irwin’s border-less interest in every type of animal that exists. The Australia Zoo is serving as a steeping stone to connect the public with more in-depth activist initiative, and having the Irwins standing at the forefront of their zoo, it is thus able to reach out to a wider scope of audience.