Crocodile Hunter's legacy in deep financial water

Steve Irwin's daring tactics were a huge drawcard for Australia Zoo. Photo / Supplied

SYDNEY - The Queensland wildlife park made famous by the late Steve Irwin is allegedly in dire financial straits, with former employees blaming mismanagement and the loss of Irwin's star pulling power.

The internationally renowned Australia Zoo, on the Sunshine Coast, dismissed 22 staff last month, blaming a drop in tourism caused by the recent floods and the global financial crisis.

However, former employees this week claimed the real figure was far higher, and warned the park was on the verge of collapse.

Set up 40 years ago by Irwin's father, Bob, the zoo became a major tourism attraction with Steve - the so-called Crocodile Hunter - and his American-born wife, Terri, at the helm. At its height it had 550 staff, more than 1000 animals on 28ha of bushland, and more than a million visitors a year.

But the main draw was Irwin and his daredevil antics with crocodiles, and since he was killed by a stingray's barb in 2006, Australia Zoo has struggled to attract the crowds.

Three years ago, Bob Irwin departed in a blaze of publicity, reportedly unhappy about what he saw as Terri Irwin's over-commercialisation of the zoo.

Now the park is allegedly drowning in debt, with its former curator, Bruce Murdock, telling New Idea magazine: "They have blown millions on poor planning and poor execution." He added: "Steve had a lot of dreams, but they were massive dreams that only he could fund. They are trying to do it on the back of Bindi [Steve's daughter] and Terri, but I don't think they can support it."

A former receptionist at the zoo, Amy-Lee Hines, warned that the zoo faced closure unless drastic action was taken.

"A lot of people are scared to tell the truth [about the financial woes], but the truth needs to be told," she said. "If things don't turn around, [Australia Zoo] will go down."

In addition to the staff who were sacked, dozens more have been forced to job-share or take unpaid leave, New Idea said.

Referring to Steve's celebrity lure, Murdock said the zoo's management team was struggling with its "one-man brand".

He said: "They have dreams, but they don't know how to put a structure in place to make it happen. There is no funding allocation, no budgeting for the long-term."

An Australia Zoo spokesperson said that, like other Queensland tourism destinations, the wildlife park had been affected by the floods and other recent extreme weather.

"In response to this, we have conducted an extensive and thorough review of the business and our operations, exploring all other avenues of cost savings right across the business."

The spokesperson said this would have no impact on Irwin's legacy. "If you want to see Steve's dream in action today, come to Australia Zoo and you will see ... his passion for conservation, love of wildlife and enthusiasm living on through the team at Australia Zoo."