The Land Court today reserved its decision to allow Cape Alumina the right to continue the exploration and drilling of Australia Zoo’s conservation property, Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve.

The Court heard a debate over the intended relationship between mining companies and land owners, under the Mineral Resource Act, particularly in relation to the obligations of mining companies providing appropriate notices of entry to the land owner.

The discussion also considered whether certain aspects of the Act were there to protect the land owner or to give the mining company overriding rights.

Australia Zoo has vowed to continue the fight to Save Steve’s Place.

“The fight is only just beginning,” Terri said today.

“This wetland conservation property is a tribute to Steve. I will do whatever I can to protect it.

 “We will continue to fight to Save Steve’s Place alongside the thousands of Australians who have already voiced their concern.

“The support has been inspiring, and has confirmed that we are representing the interests of a nation in protecting our wildlife and their habitat.

“The Save Steve’s Place petition gives the people of Australia a voice – and it is ringing loud and clear. We are almost at 10,000 signatures!” Terri said.

Help us save Steve’s Place and sign the petition now!

Shows related to this zoo news:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
 

Australia Zoo’s Rescue Unit launched into action yet again on Friday and employed some recently acquired tree climbing skills to rescue an injured koala.

A recent lesson in scaling trees couldn’t have come sooner for Rescue Unit members, Kate and Andrew. On Friday, they attended a koala rescue at Stradbroke Island after a young adult male koala was hit by a car and sought refuge in a towering 20 metre tall tree.

Andrew said Jack Jackson from Stradbroke Island Wildcare made the phone call to the unit early Friday morning.

“Straddie Wildcare is used to rescuing injured koalas but because the koala was so high up and we specialise in higher risk rescues, we were called to the scene,” Andrew said.

Later named Myora after Myora Springs at Stradbroke Island, the koala sustained injuries including cuts and grazes to the face.  

The Rescue Unit is called to one to two koala rescues each week.

Andrew warns people should take extra precautions driving at night, dawn and dusk as animal movements are at their peak.

“If you happen to hit an animal always check to see if it is alive and call Australia Zoo Rescue. If you do hit a marsupial, always check the pouch as it may have a joey, which can survive even though the mother may have died,” Andrew said.

Myora is expected to make a full recovery and will be returned to the island once he’s made a full recovery.

If you see an injured koala or wildlife, call 07 5436 2000 or take the animal to the Australian Wildlife Hospital located at Australia Zoo.

Shows related to this zoo news:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
 
Koalas LIVE
 

Australia Zoo’s four gorgeous Tasmanian Devils took the spotlight last Friday May 16, when Terri, Nature Nic and hundreds of wildlife enthusiasts turned out to support Black and White Day.

The annual event was created by nine-year-old Nic Bonnitcha, aka ‘Nature Nic’ to raise awareness and much needed funds for Tassie Devil conservation.

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.

Wearing black and white, Terri and Nature Nic joined forces for the day, spending time educating visitors, signing autographs and raising funds for the devils! Australia Zoo’s Tassie Devil keepers also took the opportunity to educate partons about the fatal disease that is wiping out a species.

The day was a great success, with Australia Zoo raising nearly $3500 for Devil conservation! Wooo-hoo!

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 zoo news:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
 
Elephant Keeper Talk
 

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.

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!