In the Media
2009
Cape Argus (Monday March 30, 2009)
By Photo: Joe Alblas
Caption: Bindi Irwin, the 10-year-old daughter of famous crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, bonds in the sea at Strandfontein with a mechanical whale during the filming of the movie Free Willy: South Africa. Her father died after a stingray's tail pierced his heart in 2006 and Bindi carried on in his footsteps, launching her own wildlife series Bindi: The Jungle Girl. Bindi, who also had time to enjoy the country, said: ‘I love South Africa, and Cape Town's awesome. Last week I climbed Table Mountain and loved it.
The Sunday Examiner, July 20, 2008— 7
By Matt Meloney
AUSTRALIA'S favourite environmental export, the Irwin family, paid a private visit to East Coast Natureworld last week.
Terri, Bindi, 10, and Bob Irwin, 4, visited the wildlife park to observe the State's first Devil Island enclosure during their annual trip to Tasmania. Owner and operator Bruce Englefield said his celebrity guests were so impressed that Ms Irwin made mention of potential plans to buy land in Tasmania to construct a similar facility.
‘‘She was effectively saying that, if she buys land, they might even provide a similar, larger facility,'' Mr Englefield said.
‘‘And Australia Zoo's Wildlife Warriors Worldwide programme has indicated that future help will be forthcoming, particularly in the research field.
‘‘We're at the stage now where we've shown it is possible to build extensive free-range enclosures with affordable infrastructure. Now we've got the make sure we can manage it, and we'll know that in the next six months.
‘‘On the mainland, it costs $20,000 a year to keep them (devils) in captive situations. In the same sort of enclosure in Tasmania, we can keep costs down - $2000 a devil a year would be a comfortable amount.''
Classified as a quarantine facility, Devil Island was officially opened two months ago to contain wild, disease-free devils in a simulated, natural environment. The concept was to develop an insurance population through a managed breeding programme.
Mr Englefield said there were a minimum of 21 female devils in wildlife parks State wide that had produced a minimum of 60 joeys this year. With the Department of Primary Industries and Water committed to providing the devils, and funds for monitoring their activities and the enclosure, it was up to a team of 10 Northern Tasmanians to provide money needed for its actual construction.
Earlier this year at the G'day USA Ball in Los Angeles, Ms Irwin donated $20,000 towards the cause from the auctioned sale of a dress she originally purchased for $91. Mr Englefield said that contribution provided a psychological boost for the Devil Islander team to pursue further fund-raising.
He said it was at the inaugural Launceston Ten when the group officially started to raise funds for the enclosure, and it had banked about $150,000 since.
The Devil Islanders will be appearing once again at the Launceston Ten today. But what else did Mr Englefield have to say of his celebrity guests?
‘‘Bob is like a mini-Steve, though a bit quieter. For a four-year-old he has a remarkable sense of humour,'' he said. ‘‘Bindi had an aura about her that you can't describe -like Steve had. There's something special about her.''
News-Times (Tuesday, July 15 2008)
By Terry Dillman
When the Eugene native Terri Irwin, widow of famed "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin signed and agreement with the Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute (MMI) and its director, Bruce Mate, to fund two humpback whale research ventures, she enhanced a program already actively involved in whale research.
Located at Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) in Newport, the Institute operates under the auspices of the College of Agricultural Sciences. It began in 1988 as one of the seven research programs within the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station (COMES) to focus on marine mammal management issues, among them critical habitats, migrations, behaviour patterns, and interactions with human activities, such as fishing and shipping. OSU granted the program full institute status in 2006, with plans to boost faculty and broaden the research scope. Mate's pioneering studies of threatened and endangered whale species has propelled OSU's research efforts in that area to international recognition.
MMI staff, HMSC, and university officials are working collaboratively on plans to greatly expand the institute.
Meanwhile, faculty staff, and graduate students within it strive to enhance its stated mission of becoming internationally recognised as "the definitive source of knowledge about marine mammals." Information gleaned from the institute's research and studies is targeted for public use.
The Pinniped Ecology Applied Research Laboratory (PEARL) under Markus Horning's leadership, and the Catacean Conservation and Genetics Laboratory (CCGL), directed by Scott Baker (also MMI's associate director), were added in 2006, joining the Oregon Coast Marine Mammal standing Network, and Mate's Telemetry Group (WTG). The WTG has pioneered the development of satellite-monitored radio tags designed "to study the movements, critical habitats, and dive characteristics of free-ranging whales and dolphins around the world." Mate said they focus primarily on endangered whale species whose distribution movements, and critical habitats (feeding, breeding, and migration areas) "are unknown for much of the year".
Whale of a tale
Since the first tagging of a humpback whale off Newfoundland in 1986, the WTG has tagged more than 460 whales from 11 different species. Those efforts have led to the discovery of previously unknown migration routes, seasonal distribution (summering and wintering areas), and descriptions of diving behaviour.
Among the species studied are the most endangered blues (considered on the brink of extinction), bowheads, and humpbacks.
OSU researches miniaturised the radio tags in 1997 for implanting as a dart into humpbacks, more popularly known as the "signing whales". Mate said by using the new tags on humpbacks in Hawaii, they "traced the first complete migration route between a whale's breeding and feeding areas."
OK!
Congratulations! What was the highlight of 2008 for you?
When we went to Alaska to do whale research on Humpback Whales. We're working with Oregon State University to prove to the international Whaling Commission that non-lethal research can be done on these magnificent creatures.
What does 2009 hold for you?
2009 is going to be a beaut, bonza year. I am very excited because I have a filming project in Africa, which is where we have a conservation program helping support Cheetahs. We are helping by providing tracking collars for the Cheetah's so they can be tracked and relocated if they ever get into a conflict with humans.
What was the biggest lesson you learned this year?
That my Daddy's important work must continue and I am inspired by all the support my family has received. I'm determined to never give up!
Steve Irwin Day, on November 15, was a huge success. We have many Wildlife Warrior friends who are helping to keep my daddy's dream alive.
Who's the Aussie star shining brightly for you right now?
The veronicas are my shining stars because they're lovely girls with great music as well as being ambassadors for Wildlife Warriors.
Have you made any New Year's resolutions?
To stop a small mining company from destroying my daddy's reserve in far north Queensland. It's 135,000 hectares; chock-a-block full of wildlife, including some species that are rare and vulnerable, like the Palm Cockatoo.
What's your favourite memory of 2008?
When we went to do crocodile and file snake research at the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in August. I got to do school on the reserve for a month and my classroom was under a big tree overlooking the Wenlock River.
What's your message to the OK! Readers who voted for you?
I'd like to thanks everyone who voted for me so much, it means a lot. My daddy worked to change the world to make it a better place. If one man can make a difference, you can make a difference.
If you would like to help Bindi make her resolution come true, please go to www.savestevesplace.com and sign the petition to save Steve's Place.
Courier-Mail
By Sophie Elsworth
The smallest Irwin celebrated his fifth birthday yesterday with thousands of onlookers singing happy birthday the Crocodile Hunter's son.Many people around the world know Robert as "Baby Bob" but the charismatic youngster is certainly no bub any more.
Robert Irwin was joined by his mother, Terri, and sister, Bindi, 10, at Australia Zoo Crocoseum on the Sunshine Coast to celebrate his fifth birthday.
Despite the hot weather, thousands of revellers packed the Zoo for one of it's busiest days of the year as the school holidays draw closer.
Many patrons took advantage of free entry for Children to the Zoo to take part in Robert’s birthday celebrations.
Robert cut his giant dinosaur birthday cake in front of thousands of eager children who watched the little entertainer enjoy the celebrations including performances by Banana in Pyjamas, Postman Pat and Spot.
Australia Zoo has a prehistoric theme and many children dressed up as their favourite dinosaur for the day.
There were also two jumping castles, a giant trampoline, rides and face painting for young zoo revellers.
Sunshine Coast Daily
The new $5 million Australian Wildlife Hospital-next door to Australia Zoo- opened yesterday on Steve Irwin Day.
The State-of-the-art veterinary facility fulfils Steve’s dream to provide the ultimate in humanitarian aid for thousands of native animals injured by human activity.
Loss of habitat, road accidents, domestic pet attacks, fire and disease bring over 5000 animals to the hospital each year.
As around 70% of patients are victims of road accidents or domestic pet attacks, it’s not hard for Australian Wildlife Hospital manager Gail Gipp to see where the demand for medical attention comes from.
When the original hospital- a converted avocado packing shed- opened in 1994, Mrs Gipp and her staff imagined a slow increase in demand and many years in the temporary facility.
Instead, the hospital had “massive growth very quickly”, Mrs Gipp said.
“People just get in their car and drive here from the northern NSW and fly animals from places as far away as Gladstone and Mackay.
The facility now employs 28 staff, including seven veterinarians, and has a network of up to 70 volunteers.
It contains purpose-built operating rooms, an intensive care room, laboratory, hi-tech X-ray and CAT-scan rooms, patient admittance bays and nursery for koalas, echidnas and other orphaned wildlife.
The last five years have been very intense times for Mrs Gipp and her staff.
Some nights, she didn’t get any sleep at all, she said, but now the new hospital had opened, night nurses have been employed for the first time.
The wheels are set in motion for the new facility late one afternoon in 2005.
A customer delivered and injured, Noisy Mynah Bird for treatment at the old hospital, and asked if he could stay and see what went on.
“A few hours later (I had forgotten he was there, we were so busy), he said to me, ‘This is amazing, what do you want?’” Mrs Gipp said.
I told him I wanted a dollar from every rate-payer to keep the facility going.”
The next day, she was advised the customer was then- Federal Minister for revenue, Mal Brough, who had lodged a submission to the Federal Government for funding. The result was a $2.5 million federal contribution to the new hospital, which was matched by Wildlife Warriors World Wide.
Mrs Gipp’s determined quest to open the eyes of the public about animal welfare continues.
“It’s all about education, and I’ll never stop doing that”, she said.
“We love donations, but if someone said to me, ‘would you take a million dollars (for the hospital) or get 20 people to change their lives and do something positive for this planet?’ I’d take the 20 people any day.”
These changes can be as simple as driving with wildlife in mind and keeping domestic pets inside fences at night.
Four daily tours are offered at the hospital so the public can view operations, specialist medical treatment, rehabilitation, and nursery areas first hand.
They can also gain a better insight into how their daily activities can impact on native wildlife.
Tours of the hospital are offered daily at 9.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm.
For donations or more information, visit www.wildlifewarriors.org.au
Sunshine Coast Daily
By Blythe Seinor
If there was any doubt about who inspired the new Australian Wildlife Hospital at Australia Zoo, a quote in the foyer makes it crystal clear."She was the greatest wildlife rehabilitator in the world, a true pioneer. She was my legend and in my heart she will live forever."
The Crocodile Hunter's words about his late mother Lyn were unveiled during a packed opening ceremony at the facility yesterday.
Terri, Bindi and little Robert Irwin were there, along with the zoo's general manager Wes Mannion, a swag of state and federal politicians and celebrities including Lisa Origliasso from the Veronicas.
Steve's dad Bob, who was at the centre of controversy in September over an alleged falling-out with Terri, was also there but sat three rows back from the rest of his family and was not mentioned in any official speeches.
He was taken on a tour of the facility inspired by his late wife and seemed genuinely impressed by what he saw.
Terri told the crowd the hospital had been built in memory of Steve's mum Lyn, who is featured in several large pictures around the hospital.
"That passion and empathy Steve had was what Lyn was all about," she said.
Wes Mannion welled up as he spoke about the day his best mate Steve took him to the old avocado packing shed on the site and said he wanted to build an animal hospital in memory of his mum.
"They had a strong bond, I'd never seen anything like it," Wes said.
"They were born on the same day and felt the same passion...that unadulterated love came from Lyn."
The former packing shed operated as an animal hospital from 2004 until it was replaced by the new $5 million facility which is expected to treat 6000 patients a year.
After the ceremony, Terri said she believed Lyn would be very proud of the facility.
"She would run it better than any of us, it would be even cleaner, she was an amazing woman," Terri said.
The opening coincided with Steve Irwin Day, which attracted thousands of fans.
"He took a valuable message and made it entertaining and profitable, then used the profits responsibly," San Diego's Beau Parks said.
Australia Zoo will contribute $2 million each year to the hospital's running costs.
Sunshine Coast Daily
By Damian Bathersby
The Australia Zoo team has continued its outstanding success at the Queensland Tourism Awards, taking the major tourist attraction title for the second year running.The win, announced at a gala dinner in Brisbane on Friday night, was one of three for the Sunshine Coast.
John Atkin - owner of the award-winning property The Falls, at Montville - took out the Marie Watson-Blake Award for outstanding contribution by an individual, and the Discovery Group's 30 years of fostering environmental tourism was rewarded with the tour and transport operators award.
Tourism minister Desley Boyle, who presented the awards, said it was fitting Australia Zoo recorded its back-to-back wins on the eve of Steve Irwin Day.
The zoo was also a finalist in the specialised tourism services category.
"Now a hallmark destination in its own right and a must-see attraction for the region, Australia Zoo continues to set new standards in product innovation and development while staying true to its crusade for wildlife conservation and education," Ms Boyle said.
Six other Sunshine Coast enterprises were awards finalists: Sunshine Castle (tourist attractions), 2007 Cadbury Schweppes Australian PGA Championship (major festivals and events), 2007 Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival (major festivals and events), Noosa Visitor Information Centres (visitor information and services), Tourism Noosa (The Richard Power Award for tourism marketing) and Oceans Mooloolaba (luxury accommodation).
Equathon Horse Riding Tours was honoured with a judges' commendation in the adventure tourism category, and the Blackall Range Business and Tourism Association received the same honour in the Richard Power Award for tourism marketing, for its website.
Brisbane tourism operators took out nine of the award's 29 categories. Tropical north Queensland won seven awards, and the Gold Coast and Townsville regions matched the Sunshine Coast, winning three.
The winners will all progress to the finals of the Australian Tourism Awards in Melbourne next February.
Sunshine Coast Daily
By Blythe Seinor
With a father who is regarded as the greatest boxer of all time, it's fair to say Khaliah Ali comes from tough stock.But she is an undeniable softie when it comes to animals.
Her eyes welled with tears yesterday as she described what she had seen at the new Wildlife Hospital at Australia Zoo.
"I can't even pick (a favourite), it's impossible," she said.
"You want to say the koalas, but I'm in love with the rhinoceros that let me pet him on his back.
"Then there was the lemur that was so greedy he slapped the other one in the face when he took the banana, and the elephants were so large and gentle. That's the kind of day it's been."
Special : Remembering Steve Irwin
Khaliah, her husband Spencer Wertheimer and their son Jacob made the long-haul flight from Philadelphia to the Sunshine Coast this week to take part in tomorrow's opening celebrations of the hospital, which will coincide with Steve Irwin Day.
The trip is part of her role as the US Ambassador for Wildlife Warriors.
She said she initially wanted to become involved in the organisation after she heard Bindi Irwin speak in the wake of her father Steve's death.
"I was so moved because being the child of boxer Muhammad Ali I know what it's like to live with your family's legacy," she said yesterday.
"Certainly this cause is the most laudable and of the highest order.
"I remember picking up the phone and feeling in my heart there is nothing I won't do to help Wildlife Warriors."
She said she regarded Steve Irwin as one of the great leaders of our time.
"Who Steve was in my eyes was Dr King or Ghandi," she said.
"He was somebody who taught people to love where there was fear and taught them tolerance and educated them where there was hatred.
Khaliah said she planned to return to the Sunshine Coast every year to play a part in Steve Irwin Day.
At 1300sqm, the new Australian Wildlife Hospital is the largest of its kind in the world.
It cost $5 million to build and will treat more than 5000 "patients" each year.
The Federal Government contributed $2.5m towards the project, with the rest funded by Australia Zoo and fundraising efforts.
Western Cape Bulletin
By Shane Bousen
Last weekend I had the pleasure of spending some times at the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, thanks to an invitation from head ranger Barry Lyons.I had not been to the Reserve before, though obviously I had heard a lot about the property and was keen to visit and see what was there.
I headed north to Stones Crossing, where the drive itself was interesting and fun.
My mate Glen Peisley from Napranum had volunteered to be the driver.
We charged through the crossing hitting the hole in the middle square on, of course.
On the other side of the crossing we waited for Barry to come and guide us into the Reserve and his camp site, where we were met by a great bunch of blokes who had come from all over Australia to conduct research into the varieties of fresh water fish found on the Reserve.
After introductions and a quick cuppa, we loaded into three vehicles and set off for Blue Bottle Springs.
Blue Bottle Springs, I was informed by Barry, was found by studying topographic maps of the area. The Springs were identified as rainforest on the map; this required further investigation, informed Barry.
"So we came to investigate as part of our conservation work and we found this incredible spot."
We began leaving set traps in the woodland area above the springs to see what mammals and reptiles could be found, then worked our way through and around the spring system to find what freshwater fish were there, all the while looking at the incredibly beautiful flora of the immediate area.
The researchers were from the Australia and New Guinea Fishing Association (ANGFA) and specialise in the species of fish which are found in this part of the world. These land masses were once one and there are many similarities between both countries and their fish.
The researchers study the collection, breeding and conservation of fish and I could tell you from their enthusiasm that they really enjoy their work and take a great deal of pride in what they do.
The guys also study the water conditions of the plants and fish and monitor them over time for any changes and then try and find out why and what its impact will be.
They also work with most state museums across the country to provide samples.
In between laying the traps and catching freshwater fish, we were shown seven different species of rare or endangered plants within ten yards, four of which had not been recorded on the Western Cape before!
One of the researchers, trying not to damage any of the plants, was heard to say: "it is like walking on glass trying to be so careful."
That afternoon we went to Gibsons' Billabong for a look and to flick a lure to see what other freshwater fish could be found there.
We were secretly hoping, of course, for the metre-plus barra on the bottom.
We had just enough time to get back and load up for a trip to Saw Fish Landing, where we were to conduct a night survey of nocturnal animals focussing on aquatic animals.
On the way the guys showed me where they had found an 18 foot scrub python skin the day before. Aware that snakes of this can drop from trees, I felt more comfortable walking in the Wenlock River looking for fish than sitting on the bank waiting for that monster to turn up.
I should mention that there are also 20 listening stations in the Wenlock for 15 saltwater crocodiles with tracking devices attached (part of a research program with Dr Craig Franklin from the University of Queensland).
Anyway, it was a good chance to cool off while everybody was looking for wildlife, which was everywhere.
Some of the fish found that night included saw fish, which are very rare, sole fish and, of course, another snake, the file snake. Currently there are six file snakes with acoustic tracking devices on them as part of another research program being conducted on the Reserve.
Later that evening, on the way back, Glen managed to spot a death adder of the road and he quickly placed it in a container to take back to the camp, where Barry and Josh (Barry's son, who also works for Australia Zoo, to help conduct surveys on reptiles, amphibians and mammals) informed us that they had been trying for 12 months to find one.
Surprisingly, some people think they don't exist around here. I can confirm that they definitely do!
We had time for a quick meal and then we camped under the stars to rise to the sound of hundreds of birds as the sun rose (no need for an alarm clock here).
We had a quick cuppa and then it was back to Blue Bottle Springs to inspect the traps from the day before.
Some species had been brought back to the camp for further observation.
It was about then that we said goodbye to everybody and headed back to Weipa.
The fish researchers at the time we left had identified 41 species of freshwater fish of the 45 that had been previously recorded. However, some species had not been recorded before either.
It was a truly eye-opening experience to see how this research is conducted and it was a pleasure to be with Barry, Josh and the fish guys (as I call them) while they conducted their work.
I appreciated their efforts to accommodate this Desk Jockey (as they called me), while they conducted their very important work and research.
Thanks guys.
Barry said he was also looking forward to maybe having students from Western Cape College out to the Reserve to conduct field studies and surveys possibly at a later date.
The Bully has been invited back later this year to conduct a crocodile survey on the Wenlock River and a botanist is also coming up in December.
