They are the fastest land mammal on earth, but the Cheetah is fast running out of time with an estimated 9000 to 12,000 Cheetah remaining in the wild. The Cheetah is critically endangered is some parts of Africa and could become extinct if we do not act now. Cheetah/human conflict is the biggest threat to their survival.

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide has a partnership with the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust and Cheetah Outreach in South Africa to assist with Cheetah conservation. Funds raised support Cheetah releases, Cheetah tracking and monitoring, local education to reduce Cheetah/human conflict and The Anatolian Shepherd Program. This program is a non-lethal method of managing predators like the Cheetah from killing livestock from local farms. The Shepherd dog is raised as part of the flock to protect the animals from many predators which sometimes include the Cheetah. Farmers involved have reported no loss of livestock as a result of predator attacks since implementing this very successful program.

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warrior's are proud sponsors of Warrior. Warrior is an Anatolian Shepard dog placed with a herd on a farm in Africa in 2006. Two years on; brave Warrior has become an excellent guardian to his herd. Best of all, the owner of the herd is pleased with Warriors progress.

"Warrior has developed into a very effective guarding dog and has adjusted well after being moved from his familiar surroundings to a new farm and new animals. He has bonded well with his herd and is very reliable in following the daily routine expected of him. Currently, he is guarding a herd of approximately 300 sheep in a grazing area of 150 ha. The farmer has not had any livestock losses and is very happy with the placement."

The success of the Anatolian Shepard dog program means a brighter future for the Cheetah.

Watch the video about the amazing Anatolian Shepard dog program!

This school holidays Australia Zoo is celebrating Cheetah Week from June 28 until July 13. The action-packed event aims to educate the public on Cheetah, and raise awareness and much needed funds for the Cheetah conservation efforts of Australia Zoo and throughout the world.

The Australia Zoo promo team made a splash at Mooloolaba beach on Sunday (June 22) to celebrate the official launch of the 2008 Whale Season for Steve's Whale One!

Despite cool south westerlies, hundreds of whale enthusiasts came from far and wide to get their hands sandy and join in with the whale fun.

While guests enjoyed sand sculpture competitions, awesome giveaways, stacks of you beaut activities and performances by The Gubbi Gubbi; Steve’s Whale One made its way out through the Mooloolaba canal in search for the first pods of Humpbacks for the season.

Steve’s Whale One departs from Mooloolaba Warf at 10am seven days a week, and will run through to November (depending on whale movement).

Here’s to a magical whale season on board Steve’s Whale One!

On Saturday June 21, two of Australia Zoo’s cheeky Cheetah made their way to the Birch Carroll and Coyle Sunshine Plaza Cinemas, Maroochydore to raise awareness and much needed funds for the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Cheetah conservation project.

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors plays an active role in the fight to save the Cheetah from extinction. Through Cheetah Guest Walks and donations, Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors supports the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust and Cheetah Outreach in South Africa by providing funds to relocate and track the cheetah and sponsor the Anatolian Shepherd Program.

Almost 200 people attended the cinema event which included a demonstration from our Australia Zoo Cheetah, presentation by Adam Cox from Channel TEN’s Totally Wild, and an advanced screening of the latest blockbuster movie Kung Fu Panda.

All proceeds raised went towards Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Cheetah conservation project. This is a great result to help us continue to save the Cheetah from extinction!

Harrison Ford and US Ambassador join forces with Australia Zoo on World Environment Day

Australia Zoo has  been presented with messages of support for its crusade against wildlife trafficking in time for World Environment Day this week.

United States Ambassador to Australia, Robert McCallum presented Australia Zoo Director Wes Mannion with public service announcements featuring Hollywood actor Harrison Ford, who supports wildlife conservation through his position on the board of Conservation International.
 
“The public service announcements will be launched on World Environment Day and will be shown on screens throughout Australia Zoo, which will assist us in getting the message of wildlife conservation out to our visitors,” Wes said.

Ford presents alarming footage of wildlife being killed to create souvenirs, and adds his own opinion of wildlife trafficking.

“Our endangered animals are being destroyed by illegal wildlife trade, it’s up to us to stop it,” says Ford.

“A thin line separates a buyer, from a killer. When the buying stops, the killing can too.”

US Ambassador to Australia, Robert McCallum also took the opportunity this week to acknowledge the work of Steve.

“Thanks to the efforts of wildlife advocates like the late Steve Irwin, Australians are far more familiar than most with the threat posed by illegal wildlife trafficking.

 “However, the threat to wildlife remains very real, and we all may contribute to the illegal wildlife trade simply by purchasing, albeit unknowingly, goods that are a result of illegal trafficking.  

“Tourist souvenirs made from illegally harvested ivory, tortoise shells, feathers, fur, bones or skins of endangered species are marketed openly in many countries around the world.The demand for these products in a global marketplace puts many species at risk of extinction and encourages criminal activity,” he said.

How can you help? There are stacks of simple ways to support wildlife conservation. Simple things like choosing not to purchase wildlife products, putting your rubbish in the bin, planting native trees and locking up your pets at night so they don’t chase wildlife.

There is likely to be no more then 30,000 elephants left in the forest of Asia, compared to over 100,000 just 100 years ago.

In a distressing but educational presentation last Wednesday May 28, Australia Zoo’s Senior Big Cat Handler Giles Clark shed light on this critical situation to a room filled with concerned Zoo staff.

Using a series of slides and photographs, Giles told staff of the threats faced by Asian Elephants. Poaching, habitat loss and increasing cases of human/elephant conflict has lead to a rapid decline of Asian Elephants in many of the thirteen countries where it occurs.

Eliminating these threats requires extensive investment into anti-poaching programs, government liaison, community education and the establishment of good practices to protect the second largest land animal from extinction.

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide (AZWWW) jumped on board to help the Asian Elephant in 2004. Working in partnership with Fauna and Flora International (FFI) in Cambodia, AZWWW continue to invest in a range of strategies to prevent the destruction of habitat and helping local villages to co-exist with the elephant.

The main priority is to secure the income of farmers affected by the local elephant populations to eliminate human-elephant conflict - referred to as HEC.

Included in these strategies is the planting of chilli around crops (elephants hate chilli), helping to recover property loss as a result of elephant activity, the implementation of educational campaigns, elephant tracking, anti-poaching patrols and prevention of illegal logging. The work is extensive and intense, but is proving to be very successful. Last year (2007) was the first time that no Elephant deaths through conflict had been recorded. What a little beauty!

There is still a long way to travel before the Asian Elephant is out of danger. If you would like to help this amazing species, visit www.wildlifewarriors.org.au and donate today.

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!