Steve Irwin's Widow Denies Croc Hunter's Beloved Zoo Is Going Under

By Nicki Gostin Posted Feb 22nd 2011 11:55AM

The widow of 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin has hit the Aussie airwaves to forcefully deny reports that the Australia Zoo, her late husband's life's work, will close due to crippling debt.

"I have absolutely no intention of closing Australia Zoo," Terri Irwin firmly stated in an interview with Australian broadcaster ABC. "Our wildlife hospital is running, our wildlife experiences are continuing and we fund our conservation projects with people who come into Australia Zoo. Nothing has closed. Nothing will close."

Although she did admit that a total of 22 staff members were let go due to falling visitor attendance at the 40-year-old zoo, which was started by Steve's father, Bob.

Irwin was forced to make these remarks as at least two former employees recently came out and said that the zoo is saddled with massive debt and cannot possibly continue.

"They have blown millions on poor planning and poor execution," former curator Bruce Murdock alleges in New Idea Magazine.

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 [Steve's daughter] Bindi and Terri, but I don't think they can support it."

Steve and Terri ran the zoo after he took it over from his parents. Since his death in 2006, Terri has been estranged from Steve's father. When he resigned from the zoo in 2008, he thanked all the staff for keeping his son's dream alive with the pointed exception of Terri Irwin.

Steve Irwin died on Sept. 4, 2006, while snorkeling with a stingray that fatally pierced him in the chest with its spindly barb. He died quickly of blood loss and cardiac arrest.

Daughter Bindi carried on her dad's legacy with a short-lived TV series, 'Bindi the Jungle Girl,' which ran from 2007 to 2008.

Tags: steve irwin, steve+irwin+zoo+australia, steveirwinzooaustralia, terri irwin

Comments

(53)

Tuesday 22 February

By nibblett2011

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Is there any site, any page you SKANKS do not impose on???
just wondered!

By Bob

where are the AOL police ? How much kickback do you get from allowing obvious spam get through such as zdzhi?

By Tim

nibblett2011, that was the funniest damn thing I've read in a long time on these blogs. Thank You!!

By Rebecca

I really hope that Terri is able to keep the zoo open and I feel sad that she and Steves dad are estranged. I know Steve wouldn't want that. It broke my heart when he died. The best for Terri, and the children.

By BK

NICELY PUT REBECCA

By kk

The AOL story link says Erwin's EX....she's a loving widow, not a simple EX. That would hurt to read if it were me.

By Kathryn

My thoughts exactly, kk!

By martha

How cruel to refer to Steve's widow as an "ex". Perhaps the heading should have been "widow".

By Jane

I agree. She is not an Ex, she is his widow and he is the father of her children and it is rude to refer to her as his Ex.

By LittleOzz

I agree! I was appalled when I saw that she was described as his "Ex". That is a slap in the face to her, the reporter on this article should be ashamed!

By Kellie

Apparently AOL has to make it look like it could be scandalous for people to want to look at it. They should have made it a bid for donations instead.

By OJ

I thought the same thing when I saw "EX".

By sarah

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i thought the same exact thing it made me mad that they called her an EX when you die it doesn't mean you divorced or broke up with your wife. geez.

By Donna

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I was about to say the same thing...she's not an ex!! Terri is his Widow..Big Difference!!

By LuvBear

Why does Aol allow all of this spam like zdzhi on all of these sites? Have they ever heard of SPAM??? Sorry to hear Steve Irwin's widow is having problems. Hope all goes well.

By Brenda

You took the words out of my mouth. I agree with you 100%

By Suz

Good catch, kk, you are absolutely right. Terri is not his ex-wife, she is his widow. Unless remarried, which she is not, she is his widow.

By undrgrndgirl

even IF she remarried, she'd still be steve's widow.

By yaddayaddayyadda

Good luck to Terri and her children whatever happens in Australia. I hope that the zoo survives and Steve Irwins name provides many with the inspiration to do projects such as this.

By Linda

I surely hope this is all rumor! Steve Irwin would roll over in his grave if this were true! He was my hero & I hate that he was taken from us too soon! I hope Terri & her family are able to carry on Steve's life's work & dreams and continue running & operating the zoo as he envisioned it to be! I'd give anything to visit there one day, perhaps it will happen!!

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