Australia Zoo - Steve Irwin's legacy to the world of Conservation

Australia Zoo is one of the most searched terms online for Australia and one can guess that it is due to the incredible persona that was Steve Irwin.

It's rare in this day and age that a person can make such an impact upon the world in such a short space of time, and usually they come from royalty, sports or politics for them to be recognised in even the smallest recesses on Earth, but Steve Irwin is one such person who made his mark early in his colourful life before deserting us in extraordinary circumstances.

Steve Irwin is otherwise known as The Crocodile Hunter and I can remember sitting at home in fascination and horror in equal measure whilst Steve tussled with these latter-day dinosaurs on TV documentaries. Snakes of all persuasions and in particular, poisonous snakes, also made Steve into a household name!

The Australia Zoo didn't start out with such an auspicious name. Back in the 70's Steve's Mum and Dad decided to leave Melbourne and 'retire' to the Sunshine Coast of Queensland and ditch a successful plumbing business in favour of 4 acres of land on which they started to design and build the Beerwah Reptile Park. At long last their dream of running a zoo specialising in the captive care of Australian native animals began to set a new benchmark for wildlife welfare in Australia.

By 1980 the name of the park had been upgraded to Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park due to becoming the region's premier wildlife attraction and continued to celebrate with the first crocodile being bred at the park in the early 80's.

Many of the crocodiles which became stars of the park were relocated due to Steve's work saving them from difficult circumstances in North Queensland. He even continued to catch crocodiles on his honeymoon, making it into the internationally famous documentary, The Crocodile Hunter in the early 90's.

After Steve married Terri, his mum and dad handed the zoo over to them to manage, culminating in a change of name to Australia Zoo and the amazing growth that they have had over the last 15 years.

Today the zoo continues to spread Steve's story, particular brand of enthusiasm and conservation message, despite his death in September 2006 from a Stingray spine piercing his chest.

Australia Zoo is still very much about the Irwin family and their style of conservation and animal husbandry. Steve's wife Terri and daughter Bindi are very active in the promotion and running. Although only 10 years old - Bindi is 10 in July 2008 - Bindi is becoming the face of Australia Zoo and appears to be as charismatic as her father.

Whilst people have to be the face and operatives of the zoo, the clear stars of the show are the animals, birds, and of course the reptiles that call the Australia Zoo home.

Some of the more obscure animals are the Bettong, Echidnas, Tasmanian Devils and Sugar Glider's.

Amongst the more exotic of birds are the Cassowaries, many of which you can adopt; the Eclectus Parrot, one of the few species where the female is prettier than the male; and the delectable sounding Honeyeater, an eye-catching bird on the endangered list.

The ultimate stars of the show have, of course, got to be the Crocodilians including saltwater crocodiles, freshwater crocodiles and American Alligator's. Mr Freshy, the freshwater crocodile is said to be 130 years old! Fancy adopting one of the saltwater crocodiles? Agro caught my eye!

At every stage of your experience at Australia Zoo there is the opportunity to get involved, either with adoption of animals, joining the Zoo Club or even volunteering.