Zoo Gossip
May 2008
9 May 2008
It’s black and white: if a Tassie Devil gets cancer, it dies. But you can help Australia Zoo and Nature Nic raise awareness for the Tassie Devil Friday, May 16.
Tasmanian Devils are an iconic carnivore and were once found all over Tasmania but the fatal Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD ) has resulted in a 20 per cent decline in devil numbers just in the last decade.
But for one Hobart school boy, Nic Bonnitcha, 9, aka Nature Nic, is doing what he can for the suffering Tassie Devil population by creating ‘Black and White Day’.
“I would like businesses and schools to wear black and white on Friday, May 16 and make a gold coin donation. Funds will go towards the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal and Tassie Devil conservation projects,” Nature Nic said.
Australia Zoo has four Tassie Devils on display, which have successfully bred before with one of two offspring, Jinki forming part of the Zoo’s education and conservation program..
Australia Zoo’s assistant curator, Amanda Brown hand raised Jinki and said it’s so important to ensure there are healthy devils in captivity to ensure the specie does not become extinct.
“We’re seeing what our grandparents saw happen to the Tasmanian Tiger. If we don’t do something to help the Tassie Devil and participate in events like ‘Black and White Day’ the devils may become extinct,” Amanda said.
In 2007, Nature Nic raised a $10,604 from last years ‘Black and White Day’ and hopes to raise more this year. Wooo-hoo!
Visit Australia Zoo on ‘Black and White Day’ and make a donation to receive a Tassie Devil photograph signed by Terri Irwin. Make a $500 donation and you will meet Terri, Nature Nic and one of Australia Zoo’s gorgeous Tassie Devils.
Animal related to this gossip:
Tasmanian Devil
Shows related to this gossip:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
8 May 2008
A game to remember.
On Friday May 2, two teams of rough-tough Australia Zoo men ran on to the freshly cut field at Caloundra Football Club to participate in the annual Slavko Memorial Shield charity football match.
The event is a play-off between the ever-rivalling animal keepers and the tough-as construction team. It is a night when the ‘khaki’ is left at home and replaced with a jersey and footy boots; and where managers and supervisors become just another bloke to tackle.
This year the competition was fierce with construction fighting hard to regain the shield after being defeated by the unstoppable keepers for two years running.
Both teams went out strong but no-one could stop the keepers as they took the lead early in the match. Construction fought back hard scoring several tries in the second half.
But for the third year running the keepers proved to be the stronger side, winning the match 34 to 22.
Celebrating with the Keepers was the female touch-footy team (‘Beauties’) who claimed their first win against the ‘Beasts’ in a fierce touch footy game earlier in the night. Go girls!
The night was a great success raising over $1500 for crocodile conservation, while celebrating the life of our dear friend, Slavko.
Shows related to this gossip:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
6 May 2008
She’s the Jungle Girl, a Logie winner, a Wildlife Warrior and now she’s also an Emmy nominee, Bindi has taken America by storm with not one but three Emmy nominations!
At just nine-years-old, Bindi has been nominated for ‘Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series’ for “Bindi: The Jungle Girl”.
Bindi’s song “Save Me”, also received a nomination in the category of Outstanding Original Song - Children's and Animation. The song, written by Mark McDuff is about her personal plea to save whales.
And finally Bindi’s show, “Bindi: The Jungle Girl” received a nominations in the category Outstanding Achievement in Main Title Design.
Bindi is a true Wildlife Warrior and said she loves to make conservation fun.
“I’m so excited to be nominated for an Emmy award, especially because it means more people around the world are thinking about wildlife and how we should save them.
“I really love whales and we should do our best to protect them from being hunted and my song “Save Me” is all about how precious these beautiful animals are,” Bindi said.
This Emmy nomination comes on top of Bindi’s Logie win for ‘Most Popular New Talent – Female’ category at the 50th TV Week Logie Awards in Melbourne last week. The Emmy’s will be held June 15, in LA.
Shows related to this gossip:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
5 May 2008
Mooloolaba beach was a sea of athletes on Saturday, April 26, as hundreds turned out to compete in the Mooloolaba Mile; and annual event to raise money for the National Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre.
Amongst the crowd was Australia Zoo’s ‘AV Iain’. Iain is always ready to help out; so on Saturday night he donned the ‘khaki’ and competed in the 550 metre ‘Charge for Charity’.
Surrounded by high calibre athletes and key Sunshine Coast personalities, Iain went flat out like a lizard drinking- bringing home second place! Wooo-hoo!
Iain said he is always up for a challenge; particularly when it is for such a worthy cause.
“The night was a blast; there were stacks of people cheering-on the runners and atmosphere on the beach was amazing. “This was a fantastic and worthwhile event and I feel very lucky to have represented Australia Zoo in the charity race”, said Iain.
The Australia Zoo promo team were there cheering on the athletes and helping out with a whole stack of fun activities through-out the day.
Shows related to this gossip:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
5 May 2008
Our pint-sized Wildlife Warrior is on cloud nine today after picking up the ‘Logie’ for best new female talent at the 50th TV Week Logie Awards in Melbourne last-night (May 4, 2008).
Bindi received the prestigious award for her ABC show Bindi: The Jungle Girl. The conservation focused TV series has been running for nearly a year and its success has exceeded beyond expectations.
Bindi was up-against stacks of talented youngsters including Home and Away’s Charlotte Best and Neighbour’s Adelaide Kane. But in true Irwin style, Bindi’s passion for wildlife and conservation triumphed over all.
With Terri standing proudly by her side, Bindi gave a heart-warming acceptance speech and excitedly skipped off stage to thunderous applause from the captivated audience.
Congratulations Bindi!
Shows related to this gossip:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
29 April 2008
As silence filled the Crocoseum, guests and staff of Australia Zoo took a moment to commemorate Anzac Day, April 25, 2008.
The day was marked by a visit from War Veteran's Alan Wilcock, Ian Kirk and their families from Beerwah RSL.
Guest musician Sam Robb, a trumpet player from the Brisbane Conservatorium of Music, graced the service with the Last Post and Reveille.
The day was further celebrated with a morning tea shared by the Veterans and their families. Australia Zoo has donated $500 to Legacy through Beerwah RSL.
Shows related to this gossip:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
25 April 2008
On Sunday, April 20, a dedicated crew of Australia Zoo staff braved rainy conditions to take part in the annual ‘Tour De Kawana'.
In its third year, the ‘Tour’ aims to raise much needed funds for Cystic Fibrosis Queensland – a not-for-profit organisation that provides emotional, financial and physical support to over 730 children and adults affected by cystic fibrosis.
Each year the event attracts hundreds of participants from businesses and communities around the Sunshine Coast. This year the Australia Zoo team was lead by Terri and Bindi; ongoing ambassadors for Cystic Fibrosis Queensland.
Donning bright red shirts, the Australia Zoo dream team, alongside hundreds of other competitors, set off on a 10km ride around the scenic Lake Kawana on the Sunshine Coast.
They might not be ready for Beijing, but the Zoo team had a fantastic ride and a lot of fun on the way! And after a brief recovery they are already looking towards next year’s ‘Tour’.
Despite rainy conditions, the event was a great success- raising a significant amount for Cystic Fibrosis Queensland.
Shows related to this gossip:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
18 April 2008
A cocktail of five metre swells and winds up to 30 knots was enough to make staff onboard sea sick, but for four rescued baby Loggerhead turtles, conditions were ideal.
The five and a half centimetre Loggerhead hatchlings were rescued from a nest site last Saturday night at Wurtulla. The nest was built on a walkway where people were unaware they were walking over it.
Australia Zoo Rescue Team member, Kate Winter, said the nest was severely compacted, which prevented some of the hatchlings to reach the surface, many were found dead in the nest and some of the other eggs were undeveloped.
“A total of 40 were released on Saturday, a further 19 were taken to the Australian Wildlife Hospital and treated for dehydration, and the remaining was the focus of yesterdays release mission onboard Croc One”.
“We went 32 miles out to sea into the Eastern Australian Current (EAC) where they will live for the next 15 -20 years and also where there are fewer land predators, to give them a better chance of survival. The EAC is where the hatchling turtles would normally take four to five days to swim to,” Kate said.
The team, along with Caloundra Turtle Group have been working together for the past year to ensure they have a better chance of survival of Sea Turtles on the coast. Considered to be endangered, the Loggerhead turtle nests at beaches all along the Coast line of the Sunshine Coast, from Caloundra north.
Shows related to this gossip:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
18 April 2008
The life's work of wildlife warrior Steve Irwin was further recognised today, with the unveiling of an entry statement to the Sunshine Coast road named in his honour.
Terri was joined by Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt and Member for Glasshouse, Carolyn Male, in officially commissioning the southern entry display sign to Steve Irwin Way.
Designed and created by Australia Zoo’s on site artist, Cameron, the 3.8 metre sign depicts Steve Irwin in a familiar pose, feeding one of his beloved crocodiles, with the Glasshouse Mountains in the background.
With Robert and Bindi by her side, Terri told guests how proud she was to see Steve’s legacy continue.
“Steve was a wildlife warrior in every sense of the term. He brought wildlife conservation right into people’s living rooms, and inspired the world to take action and fight for wildlife and their habitat,” she said.
In September 2006, it was announced (by former Premier) that Glasshouse Mountains Tourist Route was to be renamed Steve Irwin Way.
Since then, Australia Zoo has worked closely with Main Roads and local government to design this formal entry statement.
Guests of the unveiling described the entry statement as a fitting portrayal of Steve; a great father, husbands and Wildlife Warrior.
Later this year, a matching statement will be installed at the northern end of Steve Irwin Way ensuring that all visitors passing by are aware of the roads great significance.
Shows related to this gossip:
Kids Zoo bottle feeding
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
17 April 2008
The streets of Mooloolaba were buzzing with excitement on Sunday, April 13, as hundreds turned out to Australia Zoo on the Beach to be part of the shops’ first Birthday celebrations.
Sun, sand and surf set the scene for a perfect event, with guests enjoying a whole stack of Australia Zoo activities while soaking up the surroundings of Mooloolaba beach.
And with 500 rubber crocs buried in the sand; the beach was a sea of kids, all searching for a lucky croc to claim their awesome Australia Zoo prize.
World renowned sand sculptor Dennis Massoud joined in with celebrations, creating a totally awesome sand sculpted croc.
The celebrations also included plenty of live animals with special appearances by one of the Zoo’s Blackhead snakes, Anthony the cockatoo and Brodie the Blue Tongued Lizard.
To top-off a fantastic day- Bindi’s trusty 'Crocmen' dropped by to join in with the celebrations; meeting and greeting hundreds of excited fans! Wooo-hoo!
Shows related to this gossip:
Kids’ Story Time
Kids Zoo bottle feeding
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
