About the Australia Zoo:

Australia Zoo is a small, primarily reptile, zoo located in the Australian state of Queensland on the Sunshine Coast near Beerwah/Glass House Mountains. It is owned by Terri Irwin, widow of Steve Irwin, whose wildlife documentary series The Crocodile Hunter made the zoo a popular tourist attraction.

Although best known for the crocodiles and the live crocodile feedings, the zoo is also known for featuring exhibits of other Australian wildlife, including Asian otters, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, snakes, and (until 2006) a giant Galápagos tortoise called Harriet, which was generally acknowledged as the world's oldest living chelonian when it died on June 23, 2006, at the age of 176.[1] The Zoo also features a smaller selection of animals from around the world including elephants, tigers, cheetahs and Komodo Dragons.

Australia Zoo was named as one of Australia's Best Major Tourist Attractions for 2003-2004.

History:

Australia Zoo was opened by Bob and Lyn Irwin in 1970 under the name Beerwah Reptile Park. Bob Irwin is a world renowned herpetologist (amphibian and reptile scientist), who is regarded as a pioneer in the keeping and breeding of reptiles. His wife Lyn was the first to care for and rehabilitate sick and injured wildlife in southeast Queensland.

Bob and Lyn passed on their love and respect for wildlife onto their children, especially to their son Steve Irwin, who had helped his parents since childhood to care for crocodiles and reptiles and to maintain the growing number of animals in the zoo.

Over a decade later the park was renamed to the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park and the area was doubled with the purchase of another four acres. In 1987 the Crocodile Environmental Park was opened in an effort to aid Saltwater Crocodile protection. By the 1990s the Crocodile Environmental Park had become very popular and was seen as unique for its display of crocodile feeding within the park.

The zoo expanded slowly and in 1991 Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin overtook management of the zoo. In 1992 the park was renamed again, becoming Australia Zoo. Currently, the zoo maintains more than 1000 animals and 600 staff.

Improvements:

In the meantime, the zoo has encompassed a large area, in which many animals live. In order to reduce long walks, a shuttle train has been implemented, which operates on a custom-designed track.

At the zoo there is additionally a stadium, which at the time of its construction was the first in the world where snake, tiger, bird and crocodile shows are conducted. One can also view a crocodile feeding and even participate in an elephant feeding.

There is a running space for kangaroos, and there is often the opportunity to pat a koala. The zoo also runs a care station for these animals.

At the moment, the elephant enclosure is being expanded and a large water pool set up. Furthermore, an artificial island will be accessible starting in 2006, which will accommodate African animals such as tortoises and other species not yet represented.

Sign Near Entrance To The Zoo

Aviary At The Australia Zoo

The Crocodile Show At The Australia Zoo

Harriet, the second oldest tortoise ever authenticated, lived at Australia Zoo

The Music That Plays On this Page
is a 15 second loop I put together
from a new tribute song about Steve
author unknown at this time.