Steve and Terri Irwin were born into families of wildlife rescuers! In the beginning, Australia Zoo was made up of animals which had been rescued by the Irwin's and unable to be released back into the wild. Today, Australia Zoo has its very own Wildlife Rescue Unit; a team dedicated to rescuing wildlife 365 days a year!

From koalas to Green Sea turtles, the Australia Zoo Rescue Unit is dedicated to saving wildlife. Each day is another adventure and challenge for the team as they swim, climb, run or dive to rescue an array of injured animals. From road accident victims to marine strandings, the rescue team is trained for just about any situation! And with ten call-outs a day - they are certainly put to the test!

Check-out Australia Zoo's Rescue Team in action at Australia Zoo TV. Watch as they rescue koalas, kangaroos, birds, turtles and snakes, and transport them back to the Australian Wildlife Hospital for treatment.

Support the Rescue Unit

A variety of specialised gear is required in any given animal emergency. You can sponsor Australia Zoo's Rescue Unit to provide essential rescue equipment, ensuring that every animal receives the best possible care. Check out how your sponsorship will make a difference...

Shows related to this zoo news:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
 
Koalas LIVE
 
Birds of Prey LIVE
 

Life as a rhino keeper is pretty amazing. Caring for these massive mammals takes a lot of dedication and hard work. But at the end of the day, we are rewarded with lots of love and affection from one of the most magnificent animals in the world!

Who would ever have thought a rhinoceros could be so affectionate? At first glance they appear tough, powerful and dangerous. Their immense size, strength and intimidating horns are enough to scare anyone or anything! But here at Australia Zoo, we are lucky enough to have a beautiful Southern White Rhino boy called DJ; one of the sweetest and most gentle rhinos you will ever meet.

As we arrive each morning, a sleepy 1960 kilogram DJ, is first to greet us. He slowly rolls out of bed, has a big stretch and yawn, before lumbering over for a scratch. Soaking up the attention, DJ closes his eyes, and stretches one of his back legs all the way out. Some days, he will even lie down and invite us to give him a good belly scratch! These are the moments when we are convinced that being a Rhino keeper is the best job in the world!

Feeling a tad jealous? Great news! You can come and meet our very affectionate boy, DJ, plus our other gorgeous rhinos by booking a Rhino Encounter on your next visit to the Zoo. Give DJ a good scratch and a handful of his favourite food and we are positive that you will have a friend for life!

Crikey! Australia Zoo's wildlife took part in the Australia Day celebrations today, with the famous Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors show in the Crocoseum being kicked off by Elephants waving the Australian flag!

Australia Zoo's three gorgeous Asian Elephants, Siam, Sabu and Bimbo, waved the Australian flag with their trunks as they lead the celebrations, following a ripper performance by the legendary John Williamson.

In his traditional Australia Day performance at Australia Zoo, John led the Crocoseum's crowd in singing the National Anthem, plus belted out popular favourite True Blue. John's hour-long performance warmed the crowd up for all the slithering, swooping, jaw dropping action of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors show!

Australia Zoo opened gates at the early time of 8am, putting on free Aussie tucker for the early birds, including damper, billy tea and lamingtons. There was STACKS of family fun, with the slippery Vegemite-thong race and sack race, as well as rides and face painting for the ankle-biters. Crowds were also treated to performances throughout the day by traditional dance group the Gubbi Gubbi.

It was a you-beaut Australia Day at Australia Zoo, where Crocs Rule!

She's not only an Aussie icon, named after one of Australia's most famous songs, and lives at Australia Zoo, but Matilda the Koala celebrates her birthday on the most Aussie of days - Australia Day!

Joining Matilda for her 13th birthday at Australia Zoo is another true-blue Aussie icon, John Williamson, as he performs the National Anthem, among other iconic songs, live in Australia Zoo's Crocoseum on Tuesday 26 January.

All the Aussie action starts at 8am, with FREE lamingtons, billy tea and damper for the early birds, and more fun than you can poke a stick at with the slippery Vegemite-thong race and sack race. Traditional dance group the Gubbi Gubbi will perform throughout the day, and there will be a STACK of awesome prizes up for grabs in the Major Prize Draw.

If you've been flat out like a lizard drinking, come celebrate Australia Day in true-blue Aussie style at Australia Zoo, where Crocs Rule!

Adopt an Aussie!

Celebrate Australia's amazing wildlife and adopt a true blue Aussie koala this Australia Day! Adopt an Aussie now!

The Australian Wildlife Hospital is happy to report that little Doug's condition has improved slightly overnight. He remains critical and continues to require oxygen from time to time. Today he is moving around and attempting to eat. Doug's brave mum, Meryl, is doing very well.

You can help the Australian Wildlife Hospital save koalas just like Doug by donating to Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide today.

Donate now!

Related Story
Koala joey 'Doug' fights for life

If recording hit records, performing live in front of thousands and travelling the world making her own TV show weren't enough for you, now our girl has hit the big screen!

Bindi's first film, Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove, is set to dazzle when it premiere's in the US in March 2010.

Set in South Africa, the latest Free Willy instalment is a touching story about wildlife crusader, Kirra Cooper (Bindi), and her mission to reunite a young stranded Killer Whale with its pod in the wild.

Catch a sneak peak of the Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove trailer, to see our wildlife warrior princess in action!

Watch it now!

Shows related to this zoo news:
Kids Story Time
 
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
 

Show more comments!

On Tuesday, January 19, the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors - Australian Wildlife Hospital received a koala joey that presented very quiet, thin, and dehydrated with difficulty breathing. Immediate assessment revealed that he required further investigation.

The joey was quickly anaesthetized and assessed by one of the vets at the Australian Wildlife Hospital. He was found to be significantly underweight, dehydrated and had considerable respiratory problems requiring intubation and assisted ventilation.

After emergency stabilisation, x-rays were taken. These revealed, unbelievably, two slug gun pellets in his body, one located in the chest and one in the abdomen.

With significant internal blood loss associated with his injuries he also required an immediate blood transfusion.

The joey, named Doug after his rescuer, will require surgery to remove the pellets and repair the associated damage once his condition stabilizes. He is currently receiving intravenous antibiotics, fluids, supplemental oxygen, and pain relief. His situation is still critical.

Doug's mother, named Meryl, was also brought in to the Australian Wildlife Hospital. She was given a full assessment upon arrival, including full body x-rays, which revealed a slug pellet, identical to the ones found in the joey, located in her right leg.

Surgery has been performed on Meryl to remove the pellet and her condition is currently stable.

Gail Gipp, General Manager at the Australian Wildlife Hospital, assures the public that everything possible will be done to provide them with the best veterinary care.

"Whilst Meryl's condition is not life threatening her infant Doug is in a critical condition and will require intensive monitoring and care in the coming days," Gail said.

"We are stunned to see this kind of animal cruelty. It is extremely sad that somebody would want to shoot a koala, especially when their population is already in serious decline."

The Department of Environment and Resource Management is investigating the incident. Anyone with information should call DERM on 1300 130 372, or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

It's against the law to harm koalas - the maximum penalty is $300,000 or two years imprisonment.

Staff at the Australian Wildlife Hospital urge the public to call their emergency wildlife phone on 1300 369 652 for all wildlife emergencies.

Animal related to this Zoo News:
Koala

Shows related to this zoo news:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
 
Koalas LIVE
 

Great news everyone! Our two peculiar looking, popcorn smelling Binturongs have been named.

Introducing Pip and Jaya! Pip is our gorgeous, inquisitive girl and Jaya is our shy little boy. Their names were selected by Australia Zoo's team of Binturong keepers, who all agreed that Pip and Jaya were a perfect fit for the cheeky brother and sister duo.

Congratulations to Steph McGrath and Stuart Taylor for suggesting these two great names. We hope you enjoy the ripper prize pack coming your way, including a photo of the Binturongs and stacks of Australia Zoo goodies!

Be sure to check-out Jaya and Pip next time you visit the Zoo- they would love to meet you!

While many were preparing to celebrate Christmas, bushfires tore through wildlife reserves in suburban areas south of Australia Zoo, destroying habitat and injuring wildlife. Fortunately, the Zoo's Rescue Unit was there to help.

Our dedicated and experienced team of rescuers have previously worked alongside many community groups to rescue wildlife from bushfire affected areas.

This particular area is a popular habitat for koalas. While many did not survive the fires, countless koalas managed to escape the devastation with serious but treatable injuries, including smoke inhalation and burns. To survive, the injured koalas required immediate treatment.

The Rescue Unit was called to rescue the distressed koalas hiding high in the trees. Despite being highly trained climbers, the team was faced with the added challenge of scaling burnt and broken trees.

Luckily, there training and experience paid-off and the team were able to rescue every injured koala and take them to the Australia Wildlife Hospital for treatment.

Check out Australia Zoo TV to see the Rescue Unit in action!

Animal related to this Zoo News:
Koala

Shows related to this zoo news:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
 
Koalas LIVE
 

Bindi Irwin is all set start a ripper year by performing live as part of Australia Zoo's Summer Down Under - Live ‘n' Wild series, which runs throughout the school holidays.

Having been nominated for her first ARIA and her second Emmy awards plus being named ‘Biggest Greenie' at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards alongside little brother Robert, Bindi will see in 2010 by performing solo with her back up dancers, the Jungle Girls, in Australia Zoo's Crocoseum daily until 17 January.

The Jungle Girls are local Queensland teenagers who love to perform as much as Bindi does, and are excited to be able to help Bindi spread the conservation message.

Continuing her passion for teaching kids about conservation, Bindi will perform songs from her popular and award-winning DVD's.

"It is always so much fun performing on stage in the Crocoseum and being able to watch everybody joining in and have a good time," said Bindi.

"I love it because I'm singing about making a difference and making the world a better place."

In between the catchy tunes and dance moves are important conservation messages that Bindi hopes will encourage everyone to do their part to make a difference.

"What I'm trying to get across is our earth is in a lot of trouble. Our oceans are polluted, our trees are being cut down and our animals are being brought to the brink of extinction. I want people to know they can make a difference and help mother earth," she said.

As well as teaching about conservation, Australia Zoo has a strong history of providing quality entertainment to visitors throughout the Summer Down Under - Live ‘n' Wild series, which runs throughout the January school holiday period.

Joining Bindi for Summer Down Under - Live ‘n' Wild will be Ben 10 and his alien friends, adding a second daily show for Zoo visitors from 12 - 25 January, and a true-blue Aussie, John Williamson, will sing up a storm for Australia Day on 26 January.

The Summer Down Under - Live ‘n' Wild series form part of the entertainment that is free with the price of Australia Zoo admission. Australia Zoo also offers 14 FREE wildlife shows daily, plus stacks of opportunities to get hands on with roving wildlife!

Shows related to this zoo news:
Kids Story Time
 
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
 
Kids Zoo Talk