Wildlife Rescue
Since the establishment of Australia Zoo in 1970, the Irwin family has been heavily involved in rescuing Australian native animals. The entire Australia Zoo philosophy was born of ideal parents: Lyn Irwin, who pioneered marsupial raising and rehabilitation techniques, and Bob Irwin, a ground-breaking herpetologist. Historically, Australia Zoo comprised animals that had been rescued by the Irwin family and were unable to be released. The ultimate goal of any wildlife rescuer or carer is to release the animal back into the wild, and for the hundreds of animals that remain at Australia Zoo, thousands more have been released in specially selected wilderness areas where there is little or no chance of them coming into conflict with humans.
In addition to the work of the Irwin family and Australia Zoo rescue staff, the Zoo also sponsors regional wildlife carer groups to ensure that those agencies further afield of the Zoo are able to continue their efforts.
In March 2004, a long-held dream of the Irwin family came to fruition with the opening of the Australian Wildlife Hospital (formerly the Koala and Wildlife Hospital). Inspired by their parents’ love and respect for wildlife, Steve and Terri created the hospital and its corresponding charity, Wildlife Warriors Worldwide Ltd, as yet another means through which to accomplish the Irwin vision of a global consciousness for wildlife conservation.
What kind of animals does Australia Zoo rescue?
The rescue skills and wildlife experiences of Australia Zoo staff members are many and varied. We are so lucky to have a team of dedicated, passionate rescue personnel under the guidance of the greatest Wildlife Warriors on earth, Steve and Terri Irwin. With such diverse talent, Australia Zoo’s capacity for rescue covers a huge number of Australian and international animal species, and we’re proud to say that our rescue track record is as varied as our abilities.
Marsupials
Lyn Irwin always had a particular gift for rescuing and rehabilitating sick, injured, orphaned and elderly kangaroos, wallabies, small macropods, koalas, platypuses, wombats, possums and gliders. From the early Zoo days, Lyn established what would not only become standard procedure for marsupial rescue at Australia Zoo, but would also shape the way wildlife carers all over Australia handled these precious native animals.
In 1999 the Irwin family purchased a house specifically for Australia Zoo rehabilitators and their families to utilise while carrying on the Irwin tradition of caring for marsupials in need. The whole household and yard is overrun with joeys year round.
Reptiles
Bob Irwin pioneered the least intrusive, most successful and safest venomous snake capture techniques in the world. The Australia Zoo reptile team rescues many different species of reptile every day, however venomous snakes pose the greatest threat to human life and are always treated as potentially life-threatening.
Each member of the reptile rescue team has been personally trained by Steve Irwin or Wes Mannion; they are very highly skilled in this area, and prepared for any situation that may arise. Both venomous and non-venomous reptiles are relocated to wilderness areas as quickly as possible, unless they require medical attention.
Birds
Australia Zoo is called on to rescue all birds, from emus to budgerigars. It’s very serious work, as a cornered emu is very dangerous and can deliver a fatal kick, birds of prey have extremely powerful talons with amazing locking pressure, and parrots and cockatoos can bite through steel. Special handling equipment, experienced staff and good quality holding containers are all essential.
Spiders and Insects
Australia is home to some of the deadliest spiders in the world – Funnel Web Spiders and Redback Spiders actually cause human fatalities. In addition to venomous spiders, the Zoo team is also called on to capture scorpions and centipedes. While they are an extreme threat to people, these creatures are also a vital part of our ecosystem. It is important to keep humans and venomous spiders and insects safe from one another, while also teaching people how to coexist with them.
Marine Life
With the Pacific Ocean just minutes from Australia Zoo and numerous estuarine passages and waterways in our backyard, our team is constantly called on to rescue marine wildlife. Rescuing animals such as beached whales, injured dolphins or orphaned dugongs requires special skills and specific equipment.
In 2005, Steve Irwin launched his crocodile research vessel Croc One, a craft designed especially by Steve to fit his very precise requirements. What resulted is an amazing vessel capable of dealing with extreme situations in extreme conditions, and carrying out hard-core marine wildlife rescue work all over Australia. Click here to learn more about Croc One.
Crocodilians
Australia Zoo and the Irwin family have a strong history with the rescue of, and research into, crocodile species. Steve and his father Bob have been major players in the field for decades, and their experience and expertise is sought from wildlife agencies, educational institutions, communities and individuals all over the world.
Click here to learn about Steve’s International Crocodile Rescue unit.
Rescuees’ Future
The outcome of a wildlife rescue is dependent on many separate factors, and each case can have a completely different result from the one before it. Every animal that’s rescued by our teams is assessed individually.
Australia Zoo and its derivatives, the Australian Wildlife Hospital and International Crocodile Rescue, have a long and successful history when it comes to the animals they rescue and care for. ‘Success’ in the world of wildlife rescue means ending up with an animal that is healthy, happy, independent and ready to return to the wild. Having the Australian Wildlife Hospital on site at the Zoo makes this job so much easier and more effective, and ensures that each animal’s veterinary and husbandry needs are met.
At Australia Zoo, 99% of all animals rescued that don’t have permanent or fatal wounds are released back into the wild in the best possible habitat so that they don’t come into conflict again. Permanently disabled animals are kept at the Zoo or placed with designated wildlife carers whom we know, and whom we trust to provide the animal with the best possible life.
