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Zoo Overview
In this section we have provided sound background information to assist in collating facts about Australia Zoo for your article. We have also created written copy for free use in all media.
Company Info
In 1970, Bob and Lyn Irwin bought the original four acres of land that was to become the Beerwah Reptile Park. By 1972, the Irwin family had realised their lifetime ambition of running a zoological facility in their dream location – Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast.
Bob Irwin was respected globally as a herpetologist who helped pioneer reptilian husbandry in Australia, and Lyn was one of the first people to rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in south east Queensland.
Following the steady growth and renown of the park, in 1980 it was renamed the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park. Another four acres were purchased to supply the growing need for animal enclosures as the Irwins’ menagerie expanded in numbers.
Every single cent that the park earned was pumped right back into the park and into conservation. Steve and Bob Irwin spent much of the 1980s capturing and relocating rogue crocodiles in partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Some of these crocodiles were unable to be returned to the wild, and were brought to the Irwins’ wildlife facility to live in their newly created Crocodile Environmental Park.
From the early nineties, the park flourished under the enthusiastic leadership of Steve and Terri Irwin. The extraordinary growth of the park throughout this decade coincided with Steve’s rise to fame as The Crocodile Hunter as Steve and Terri’s wildlife documentaries took off in Australia and the United States.
In 1998, the park was renamed Australia Zoo to better reflect its size and nature. An impressive period of growth has since followed, with the creation of such features as our big cat display Tiger Temple (an awesome fusion of art and architecture), a 1500-seat two-storey open air foodcourt, the Rainforest and Birds of Prey Aviaries, Wetlands, the world’s largest and most luxurious wombat enclosure, a Safari Shuttle for easy transport within the Zoo and, of course, the amazing Animal Planet Crocoseum.
Exciting future plans for the Zoo include the completion of several new exotic precincts, including the Southeast Asia exhibit (encompassing the Tiger Temple, a new interpretive display for our elephants, the world’s largest gorilla enclosure and the upcoming ‘ Madagascar Island’), an American exhibit complete with alligator boat ride, and an awesome display of African wildlife and culture.
Zoo Blurbs
30 Words
Australia Zoo is the place to go for thrilling wildlife action shows, one-on-one interaction with heaps of amazing animals and more fun, education and excitement than you can poke a stick at!
60 Words
There is no other zoo like Australia Zoo. They pack in stacks of wildlife action every day and move at a great rate of knots – there are always plenty of exciting wildlife shows to see, friendly and knowledgeable zoo keepers to chat with and heaps of drop-dead gorgeous animals that can't wait to get up close and personal with YOU!
120 Words
There is no other zoo like Australia Zoo. They pack in stacks of wildlife action every day and move at a great rate of knots – there are always plenty of exciting wildlife shows to see, friendly and knowledgeable zoo keepers to chat with and heaps of drop-dead gorgeous animals that can't wait to get up close and personal with YOU!
If you've ever wanted to cuddle a koala, hand-feed an Asian Elephant, walk alongside a Bengal Tiger, take a Tasmanian Devil for a stroll, wrap a snake around your shoulders or watch a massive Saltwater Crocodile launch a strike from the water's edge, then Australia Zoo is your ultimate destination.
Check out Australia Zoo – it's the wildest show on Earth!
300 Words (Australia Media)
With over one thousand native and exotic animals, an army of Wildlife Warriors, an action-packed 24-hour wildlife hospital and one amazingly adventurous Irwin family, there is NEVER a dull moment at Australia Zoo.
The crew packs in stacks of wildlife action every day – there are always plenty of exciting wildlife shows to see, friendly and knowledgeable zoo keepers to chat with and heaps of drop-dead gorgeous animals that can't wait to get up close and personal with YOU! If you've ever wanted to cuddle a koala, hand-feed an Asian Elephant, walk alongside a Bengal Tiger, take a Tasmanian Devil for a stroll, wrap a snake around your shoulders or watch a massive Saltwater Crocodile launch a strike from the water's edge, then Australia Zoo is your ultimate destination.
While every day at Australia Zoo is an adventure in itself, once every month the whole place kicks into turbo gear for a special promotional day. The calendar is filled with festivities throughout the year, starting with the biggest Australia Day celebration in the country on January 26, moving through four days of Easter family fun, trick-or-treating on the spookiest day of the year, Halloween (October 31 st ) and capping off each year with a massive Christmas party! On Bindi's birthday (July 24 th ) and Robert's birthday (December 1 st ) ALL kids get in FREE!
Set over sixty acres, Australia Zoo is a tropical oasis amid beautiful natural bush land on Queensland 's Sunshine Coast . As well as the lush greenery and well-maintained gardens, the most striking attributes of Australia Zoo are the adventurous, spacious and artistic enclosure designs seen throughout. The newly created Tiger Temple , built to resemble the famous Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia , is a work of art as well as an architectural first – Tiger Temple boasts the southern hemisphere's only underwater viewing of tigers and cheetahs.
300 Words (International Media)
With over one thousand native and exotic animals, an army of Wildlife Warriors, an action-packed 24-hour wildlife hospital and one amazingly adventurous Irwin family, there is NEVER a dull moment at Australia Zoo.
The crew packs in stacks of wildlife action every day – there are always plenty of exciting wildlife shows to see, friendly and knowledgeable zoo keepers to chat with and heaps of drop-dead gorgeous animals that can't wait to get up close and personal with YOU! If you've ever wanted to cuddle a koala, hand-feed an Asian Elephant, walk alongside a Bengal Tiger, take a Tasmanian Devil for a stroll, wrap a snake around your shoulders or watch a massive Saltwater Crocodile launch a strike from the water's edge, then Australia Zoo is your ultimate destination.
Set over sixty acres, Australia Zoo is a tropical oasis amid beautiful natural bush land on Queensland 's Sunshine Coast . As well as the lush greenery and well-maintained gardens, the most striking attributes of Australia Zoo are the adventurous, spacious and artistic enclosure designs seen throughout. The newly created Tiger Temple , built to resemble the famous Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia , is a work of art as well as an architectural first – Tiger Temple boasts the southern hemisphere's only underwater viewing of tigers and cheetahs.
Every day at Australia Zoo is an adventure, and you never know who or what you'll meet. The atmosphere is charged with a uniquely Australian energy that finds it roots in the fearlessness and passion of the world's original Wildlife Warriors, co-owners Steve and Terri Irwin. From the design and construction of each new enclosure to the day-to-day running of the Zoo and the development of animal interaction opportunities for visitors, the Irwins' solid foundation has created an exciting, education and fun experience for each and every visitor.
550 Words
Australia 's premier wildlife attraction keeps getting bigger and better! With over one thousand native and exotic animals, an army of Wildlife Warriors, an action-packed 24-hour wildlife hospital and one amazingly adventurous Irwin family, there is NEVER a dull moment at Australia Zoo.
The dynamic nature of the Zoo, coupled with the driving force of co-owners Steve and Terri Irwin, creates a wildlife experience like no other. There is a constant excitement at Australia Zoo that comes from a steady flow of all things new, different and improved. No matter how many times you walk through the gates, every visit is unique.
The crew packs in stacks of wildlife action every day – there are always plenty of exciting wildlife shows to see, friendly and knowledgeable zoo keepers to chat with and heaps of drop-dead gorgeous animals that can't wait to get up close and personal with YOU! If you've ever wanted to cuddle a koala, hand-feed an Asian Elephant, walk alongside a Bengal Tiger, wrap a snake around your shoulders or watch a massive Saltwater Crocodile launch a strike from the water's edge, then Australia Zoo is your ultimate destination.
Set over sixty acres, Australia Zoo is a tropical oasis amid beautiful natural bush land on Queensland 's Sunshine Coast . As well as the lush greenery and well-maintained gardens, the most striking attributes of Australia Zoo are the adventurous, spacious and artistic enclosure designs seen throughout. The newly created Tiger Temple , built to resemble the famous Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia , is a work of art as well as an architectural first – Tiger Temple boasts the southern hemisphere's only underwater viewing of tigers and cheetahs.
Australia Zoo aims to be the world's leading zoological destination, and its motto of Conservation through Exciting Education is manifest in every aspect of Zoo life. From the moment when you arrive and are introduced to an endangered Tasmanian Devil or colourful macaw, to the thrill of seeing your first crocodile strike or the unparalleled feeling when an elephant takes a piece of fruit from your outstretched hand. Australia Zoo is in the business of making connections between humans and animals. They are helping to forge not only an understanding, but a deep and genuine passion for our precious wildlife in people of all ages and backgrounds.
The fascinating thing about Australia Zoo is that while the tiniest of children are experiencing their first contact with wildlife, on the other end of the spectrum there are seasoned veterinarians and vet nurses at the Australian Wildlife Hospital who have dedicated their lives to saving sick, injured and orphaned animals. To see these two extremes side by side is the best reinforcement of the Conservation through Exciting Education philosophy – every Wildlife Warrior started out with that first touch.
Every day at Australia Zoo is an adventure, and you never know who or what you'll meet. The atmosphere is charged with a uniquely Australian energy that finds it roots in the fearlessness and passion of the world's original Wildlife Warriors, co-owners Steve and Terri Irwin. From the design and construction of each new enclosure to the day-to-day running of the Zoo and the development of animal interaction opportunities for visitors, the Irwins' solid foundation has created an exciting, educational and fun experience for each and every visitor.
