Crikey - Australia Zoo 'on brink of ruin'

[Whiskers]

I have never been a big fan of Australia Zoo, although I respect the work they do for conservation and tourism in Qld, BUT since Steve Erwins death I felt the place would never be the same especially after they tossed his old man Bob, out.

I've heard a bit about the way they disrespected Bob's opinion and advice and the way they treated him from people who knew him well and consequently am not surprised at this article.

Former Australia Zoo staff, sacked in the wake of the Queensland floods last month, say the zoo appears to be on the brink of financial ruin.

The former staffers took aim at the Sunshine Coast tourist attraction's management, saying the zoo has been crippled by poor planning and debt.

Up to 30 staff have been sacked, including 22 last month, and dozens more have been forced to take unpaid leave and job share, the former workers told New Idea magazine.

Zoo management blamed last month’s job losses on fewer visitors due to floods and the global economic crisis.

But former Australia Zoo receptionist Amy-Lee Hines told New Idea “a lot of people are scared to tell the truth but the truth needs to be told.

“If things don’t turn around, [Australia Zoo] will go down,” she is quoted as saying.

The zoo’s former curator Bruce Murdock told the magazine the management team was struggling with their ‘‘one-man brand’’.

‘‘It’s terrible,’’ he is quoted as saying.

‘‘They have blown millions on poor planning and poor execution.

‘‘They have dreams, but they don’t know how to put a structure in place to make it happen. There is no funding allocation, no budgeting for the long-term.

‘‘Steve had a lot of dreams. But they were massive dreams that only he could fund. After Steve died, they said they were still doing everything he wanted.

‘‘They are trying to do it on the back of Bindi and Terri, but I don’t think they can support it.’’

brisbanetimes.com.au has sought further comment from Australia Zoo management this morning.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/tra...alia-zoo-on-brink-of-ruin-20110221-1b1c2.html

 

[awg]

So would it be reasonable to infer that Terri Irwin is ultimately responsible for financial decisions?

I have seen veiled reports in the media ( and my own impression) that left me with a unwholesome feeling towards the way she was conducting herself

 

[skc]

So the use of child labour was not the solution...

 

[Logique]

I wouldn't discount a one-off bailout package from the Fed Govt and/or big corporations. An icon that made it onto Oprah in Australia.

Too big to fail. But in a business sense, they do need to move on from the 'Steve's legacy' mindset.

 

[Tysonboss1]

So would it be reasonable to infer that Terri Irwin is ultimately responsible for financial decisions?

Terri basically saved the Zoo from financel ruin. When she first started date Steve the Zoo couldn't even afford to pay for $50 add in the local Paper. So Terri invested her life savings from selling her family business in the USA in saving and expanding the Zoo. It was also Terri who pathed the way for Steve to get taken up by the discovery channel which made the family millions, She is very Industrious I have faith that she will Keep it going.

Last I heard Terri said Australia zoo was very profitable, So I think this is just disgruntled former staff.

 

[Whiskers]

Terri basically saved the Zoo from financel ruin. When she first started date Steve the Zoo couldn't even afford to pay for $50 add in the local Paper. So Terri invested her life savings from selling her family business in the USA in saving and expanding the Zoo. It was also Terri who pathed the way for Steve to get taken up by the discovery channel which made the family millions, She is very Industrious I have faith that she will Keep it going.

Last I heard Terri said Australia zoo was very profitable, So I think this is just disgruntled former staff.

The main problem I see is that Steve became synonomous with the Brand Australia Zoo. While the 'memorial' of Steve in conjunction with small acts by the kids has obviously a good following to keep things ticking over for awhile, It doesn't necessairly translate to saving them or growing business in the future.

Steve became larger than life, an icon, a magnet for publicity and entertainment.

You can have the best contacts, business management and advertising... but if you don't have the Act (that steve was) people won't have the same interest and or buy tickets in the same numbers.

While Bindi and Bob jnr may shape up later in life to fill Steve's shoes, the show is lacking an icon with the same crowd pulling charisma at the moment. In that respect, I suspect the falling out with Bob Snr was not at all helpfull and probably needed to be manintained for the show to make the transition to a new Theme/Icon/ Format or whatever.

 

[white_crane]

But former Australia Zoo receptionist Amy-Lee Hines told New Idea “a lot of people are scared to tell the truth but the truth needs to be told.

Look at the source. I'd have reservations about believing anything that came from No Idea.

 

[Whiskers]

Look at the source. I'd have reservations about believing anything that came from No Idea.

Yeah, not a very good credability rating there... but often where there is smoke there is at least a little fire.

But I formed my opinion mainly from my friends who knew the family and a fundamental business foundation... particularly the loss of their main asset, Steve, and the severing of probably the best person to help maintain the business until a new business model/icon was developed, Steve's dad and founder of the business, Bob.

While Terri may have good US contacts and business skills, that is not much use if you don't have the goods to sell.

Also, I think a lot of locals in particular have a problem with her style... see her as a bit of a foreign takeover.

 

[Julia]

I'd be delighted if it and every other zoo on the planet failed.
We should not be keeping wild animals in a confined environment for our own amusement.

 

[Whiskers]

I'd be delighted if it and every other zoo on the planet failed.
We should not be keeping wild animals in a confined environment for our own amusement.

I'm with you on that point Julia... even to the point of maybe banning 'sport' fishing and those damn TV sport fishing programs that I think we've mentioned before.

I won't go to see animals perform circus stunts, but I may go to see an animal, especially endangered animals in a pretty natural environment if I knew the proceeds were going to improving their lot.

That's why, apart from the business aspects, I would've been happier if Bob snr was kept in the business. I think he is more animal conservationist than showman. I think the work they/he does with breeding and saving endangered species for example is a worthy cause that ought to continue in more natural surroundings.

 

[It's Snake Pliskin]

I'd be delighted if it and every other zoo on the planet failed.
We should not be keeping wild animals in a confined environment for our own amusement.

Most are bread in captivity and feel lots of love from humans. It is wrong though. I agree it is wrong to have animals in captivity just like humans in captivity in offices and other boring places of employment.

Just a thought, perhaps animals like to be in zoos. How do we know?

 

[Solly]

If things are getting a bit dire, makes me wonder if the boys from the Village aren't in the wings running the ruler over this place. They've reduced their debt a bit since the sale of Austereo & Syd attractions. Just sayin'.

 

[white_goodman]

doesnt get away from the real issue, what the hell is wrong with bindi irwin, I feel like slapping that child everytime I see IT on TV

 

[Tysonboss1]

If things are getting a bit dire, makes me wonder if the boys from the Village aren't in the wings running the ruler over this place. They've reduced their debt a bit since the sale of Austereo & Syd attractions. Just sayin'.

Australia zoo is not going down and will never be sold.

 

[youngone]

Australia zoo is not going down and will never be sold.

Free Bindi Irvin!

 

[awg]

I'd be delighted if it and every other zoo on the planet failed.
We should not be keeping wild animals in a confined environment for our own amusement.

I would be delighted if badly run zoos that kept animals in sub-optimal conditions were closed.

However, well run zoos play a vital part in keeping alive many species that will become extinct..by research, breeding, training experts, and to encourage humanity to do as much as they can to prevent so very many species being lost forever.

I know there is a difference, but dont you keep an animal for your amusement?

 

[Julia]

I know there is a difference, but dont you keep an animal for your amusement?

A difference???
There's no comparison.
Dogs are domesticated animals.
I do not have my dog 'for my amusement' but as a much loved companion and protector.

I do not put her in a cage and sit this out in public so people can pay to gawk at her and poke sticks through the bars to annoy her.

The comparison is as silly as suggesting I'd be putting a tiger on a leash and training it to walk at heel through urban areas.

 

[Tysonboss1]

I do not put her in a cage and sit this out in public so people can pay to gawk at her and poke sticks through the bars to annoy her.

(

Which Zoo's in Australia are like that.

I see no problem in Zoo's like Australia ZOO or toronga Zoo, where alot of work is done for conservation and a focus is put on education rather than amusement.

I see the animals as ambassadors for their species, and they help put a face to the tragity that is happening out there.

I mean seeing an animal in a decent size high quality enclosure, where staff work to provide things to keep it happy and active and carrying out instictive behaviour, while we learn about the animal and struggles it's species are facing in the wild is great.

And if the zoo animals can be part of breeding programs, even better.

Offcourse I do not support, private zoos or circus animals and things of that nature.

 

[Whiskers]

Which Zoo's in Australia are like that..

The Bundaberg Zoo in Alexandra park had chimps in concrete and wire cages about 5m square until some years ago. They were/became vicious little critters because of people poking and throwing things at them to get a reaction... typically a snarl or a high speed rant around the cage. Some people thought it was fun to see their antics under such circumstances.

Offcourse I do not support, private zoos or circus animals and things of that nature

Yeah, me too... it was the 'circus' aspect of Australia zoo that turned me off a bit. Things like luring crocodiles out of the water and leaping for food and even some of the tv footage where steve would catch a wild aimal, just because he could and for the thrill and entertainment of it like sport fishermen, then let it go again.

 

[Tysonboss1]

Yeah, me too... it was the 'circus' aspect of Australia zoo that turned me off a bit. Things like luring crocodiles out of the water and leaping for food and even some of the tv footage where steve would catch a wild aimal, just because he could and for the thrill and entertainment of it like sport fishermen, then let it go again.

I have been to Australia Zoo many times, and it is far from a circus atmosphere. What you are talking about are natural crocadile behaviours, striking from the water to get their food or launching them selves to pluck a bird from a tree, it keeps the croc interested rather than just throwing meat in the water.

Remember the crocs at Australia zoo were troublesome animals that other wise would have been killed by local councils.