Steve Irwin (crocodile hunter) dies..........

[Nutsy]

Ok folks, I'm just back from a couple of days away and while I was away we went to Australia Zoo.

I am sad to say that it is quite a different atmosphere since last time we were there. Even though they have a voice over of Steve at the entrance and also during the Croc show, it's just not the same. I could feel it. However, I do hope that given time, this will improve and those who have taken over the reigns can grow with the job they now have.

What I can tell you is this. Over the next 10 years Australia Zoo is going to be expanded to 100 acres, making it the largest privately owned Zoo in the world. It's current size is something like 75 acres. It has grown quite a bit since we were last there back in December 2003.

Also, Terri and the Children christened their newest attraction yesterday. They are branching out into Whale Watching.


Whale-watch boat named after Steve Irwin

Family tribute ... the name of Australia Zoo's newest attraction, the whale-watching boat Steve's Whale One, was chosen by little Bindi and Bob Irwin in memory of the late crocodile hunter. Pic: Megan Slade


WHALE conservation and the memory of crocodile hunter Steve Irwin became intertwined yesterday when Australia Zoo launched its latest venture.
Despite bitterly cold conditions, Terri Irwin launched the zoo's whale watching boat dubbed Steve's Whale One, in memory of her late husband.
The vessel, named by the couple's children Bindi and Bob, will take guests in search of whales migrating up the east coast of Australia.
Departing from Mooloolaba Wharf on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, the 130-man boat will offer 360-degree views from large observation decks.
Guests can also listen to the whale songs using an underwater hydrophone, while a biologist will be on board to explain and discuss the gentle giants.
"We hope the trip will make people fall in love with the whales so much that they become a fully fledged supporter of whale conservation," said Australia Zoo spokeswoman Natalie Hodgskin.

 

[Nutsy]

Terri Irwin with children Bindi and Bob at the launch of Steve's Whale One in
Mooloolaba yesterday.


TERRI, Bindi and Bob Irwin launched a boat in the name of Steve Irwin yesterday as part of Australia Zoo's expansion into whale watching.
The khaki-clad Irwins joined more than 150 guests in Mooloolaba for the launch of Steve's Whale One, a boat designed for daily whale-watching cruises off the coast of Queensland.
Australia Zoo's expeditions into the ocean had been planned while Irwin was alive, because he was passionate about people taking a closer look at the natural environment.
The boat's skipper, Alan Short, said it was an honour to be conducting whale-watching cruises in Irwin's name.
"For me, it's such a privilege, because Steve was someone to look up to," he said.
Bindi and Bob enjoyed the chance to mingle with the crowd yesterday.
"They had a great day with all the other kids," a spokeswoman for Australia Zoo said.
The Irwins are spending an extended time at home in Queensland, but have been kept busy with public appearances.
Terri, Bindi and Bob met with the Dalai Lama

 

[Nutsy]

Who is the biggest Steve fan here? Maybe the two biggest fans! Genuine fans only though, not hangers on.

 

[lucas]

Hi Nutsy! Count me in as a fan. I miss Steve! Dh and I still watch him on Animal Planet every day while we have dinner. Thanks once again for the articles and pics. It is unbelievable how much little Bob looks like his daddy.

 

[Nutsy]

Speaking of young Bob, he is such a cutie and the spitting image of his Dad.

In the Crocoseum just before the Croc show they show some footage of young Bob with different animals and he says the things Steve used to say and he's really just so cute. You should hear him trying to say Echidna.. just too funny and too cute.

 

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

Thank you so much for sharing this,

 

[Pooh67_68]

Thanks for the latest update.

I can say I am a big fan I still watch his show and now watch Bindi's show also. Still can't believe he is gone, it seems like a bad dream.

 

[dmslush]

Thank you for continuing to keep us updated on the family. His son is the spitting image of Steve!

 

[Nutsy]

Thanks for the latest update.

I can say I am a big fan I still watch his show and now watch Bindi's show also. Still can't believe he is gone, it seems like a bad dream.

You know, we might have Australia Zoo but we don't have Bindi's new show. You guys have that, it's still in the discussion stages for when it's going to air over here. Some time later this year it seems.

 

[Nutsy]

If you've seen the Memorial Service then you may recall seeing this pic as a backdrop.

It is truly magnificent to see it painted on a wall at the Zoo. It's just like Steve is still here with us.

To get a full size view, just click on the above image.

 

[Pooh67_68]

Wow you don't have Bindi's show? I thought for sure you would have it first.

That is a great picture, and am glad to hear that it is a permanent fixture at the zoo.

 

[Nutsy]

Nope we don't have Bindi's show. Everything the Iriwns do goes to the US way before we get it here.

 

[Nutsy]

This takes up a whole wall at the entrance to the Zoo.

 

[Pooh93]

Wow, I also can't believe the U.S. gets to see Bindi's show before Australia does. My girls love her show. I, too feel like it's a bad dream and watch many of his reruns. I can't imagine what their family and friends feel like with him gone. I know they have kept pushing forwards, but I bet many of them have the same feeling as you did about the zoo...it's not the same.

 

[lucas]

If you've seen the Memorial Service then you may recall seeing this pic as a backdrop.

It is truly magnificent to see it painted on a wall at the Zoo. It's just like Steve is still here with us.

To get a full size view, just click on the above image.

That's a great pic of him. What a beautiful, strong man he was. Thanks for posting it.

And, how exciting for you to have visited the zoo! It would be a dream of mine to one day visit Australia and the zoo.

There was also an hour long Bindi special on Animal Planet right before and on Father's Day called "My Daddy the Croc Hunter." I really enjoyed that one. There was a lot of family footage that I had never seen before.

 

[Nutsy]

I think the main reason that Steve's shows and now Bindi's go to the US first is because there is bigger money over there and a bigger viewing audience.

However, I still feel it unfair that we have to wait so long. Why not have it in both countries at the same time?

 

[karenbaco]

nutsy.....
Did you get to see Terri and the kids while at the zoo???

 

[Nutsy]

nutsy.....
Did you get to see Terri and the kids while at the zoo???

No we didn't unfortunately. They are having a break at the moment, but we just missed seeing them the following day, we were in the same vicinity they were, saw the crowd of people, but didn't know until we saw the news that night what it was all about. It was when they were announcing their newest attraction the Whale Watching.

They are not long back from the US and appararantly are having a break from zoo life for the moment.

 

[karenbaco]

What is the zoo like? Do they let you touch and feed the animals?? I have always wanted to visit Australia and even go see Steve at his Zoo. I'm soooo sad he's gone. I just wish you guys weren't 1/2 way across the world from us. Whats your weather like at this time? I hear your winters are our summers. How cold do you get in the winter?

 

[Nutsy]

You most definately can touch and feed the animals. There are no cages at Australia Zoo, all the animals run freely in their own particular area.

Weather at the moment is most unusal for this time of year, it is quite cool, but normally June is very mild, July a little cooler with August being the coldest month.

Winter here in Queensland is very mild, nothing at all like some parts of the US experience. In other words, no snow, no ice. Warm sunny days.

At Australia Zoo you can feel the elephants and Kangaroos, have you photo taken cuddling a Koala and with a Burmese Phython around your neck. You can get right up close to Koalas in one partiuclar part. Kangaroos roam freely and you can buy a packet of feed for 50 cents and put some in the palm of your hand and the Roos will eat out of your hand. You can pat the Roos too and sit with them and have your photo taken as well if you wish.

ETA You can also pat the Camels and have your photo taken with them.

When I say have your photo taken. With the exception of the phython, you can take your own pics. Elephant feeding they take pics of you as well, but you can still take your own. I fed the elephants the other day, an amazing experience, but I didn't buy the photo they took of me though. It was shocking.