News - August 2009
Save the Koala this Month!
Did you know Australia has the worst mammalian extinction rate compared to any other country in the world? What is even more appalling is our national icon - the cute and lovable koala - is fast becoming part of this statistic.
We all know koalas sleep over 20 hours a day and eat eucalypt but did you know that in Queensland and New South Wales, koala populations are being decimated due to habitat loss, motor vehicle accidents, and most disturbingly disease.
September is national 'Koala Month' and Australia Zoo is jumping on board to help save this gorgeous Aussie icon.
Visit the Zoo in the September school holidays to be part of the cuddly koala celebrations! We have a whole stack koala fun in store. You can guess how many koala poos in the jar, name a gorgeous joey koala, get you face painted like a koala and join in the koala fancy dress competition. Plus, be sure to visit the Wildlife Warriors stand to learn all about koala conservation and you can do to help.
If you can't make it to the Zoo- don't sweat it! There will be stacks of 'Koala Month' fun at Australia Zoo online right through September. Learn all about koala conservation and the koalas at Australia Zoo on Daily Video Diaries, and follow Australia Zoo on Twitter to receive cool koala facts everyday!
How you can help!
Adopt a koala
Have you ever considered adoption? If you adopt one of gorgeous koalas through-out September you will receive a you-beaut adoption pack plus a paw-painting done by your koala. How cool is that!
Become a Koala Crusader!
Unfortunately research into these diseases, to learn how we can stop them is labour intensive and costly. Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors has the expertise and the determination... all we need is the funding.
We want you to become a KOALA CRUSADER and help us save our national icon! We need 6,000 generous people to donate $80 to cover the cost of research for the next two years. If you donate $80 and over you will receive a limited edition koala crusader key ring and certificate for your generous contribution.
Get involved in ‘Save a koala month' and help save Australia's cutest icon!
Wombat joey on the way!
Australia Zoo's wombat keepers have their fingers crossed this week in hope that the Zoo will soon have a new joey Common Wombat to spoil!
Our girl Minibus has recently moved to a new enclosure to be with her very cute boyfriend, Tonka. Tonka is a male Common Wombat just like Minibus, which makes them the perfect breeding couple.
As soon as Minibus stepped-paw into the enclosure- Tonka was by her side. She was in season, and he didn't want to waste one second!
Female wombats make their men work hard to prove that they have what it takes to be a worthy breeding partner. So, it was a spectacular sight to see as Minibus raced around the enclosure with Tonka trailing close behind. A typical male, Tonka did not give up on her and his determination paid off!
Now the waiting game begins. The gestation period of a Common Wombat is 30 days. Minibus will give birth to an undeveloped joey that will climb into her pouch and attach itself to one of her two teats. The joey will then remain in the pouch for eight to ten months.
Next time you are at Australia Zoo, be sure to check out Minibus and hopefully her new little joey. You beauty!
Erin Brockovich joins the fight to Save Steve's Place!
Terri Irwin will be briefing environmental crusader, Erin Brockovich this week regarding the status of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, its environmental significance and the devastating impact that mining would have on vulnerable wildlife and habitat.
Erin Brockovich has voiced her support for Terri and Bindi Irwin's fight to protect the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, a 135,000 ha conservation property in Queensland's Cape York Peninsula that's being threatened by strip mining.
"I admire all that Erin Brockovich has achieved and I'm very appreciative and honored to have Erin's support to help us fight to Save Steve's Place" Terri said.
"When people join the fight to Save Steve's Place, they are demonstrating that there is a global concern about setting aside the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve instead of destroying it for all time. The support has been inspiring, and has confirmed that we are representing the interests of a nation in protecting our wildlife and their habitat," she said.
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors has also launched a Community Service Announcement on television and radio to call for support of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve.
"We will continue to fight to Save Steve's Place alongside the tens of thousands of Australians, and now the thousands of people around the world, who have already voiced their concern" said Terri.
There are now over 207,000 people who have signed the petition. To join the fight and Save Steve's Place, log on to www.savestevesplace.com.au and sign the petition.
Bindi's boots a bargain at Beerwah's Great Garage Sale!
Crikey! A pair of Bindi's very own boots is just one of the unique items at the Irwin family's stall at Beerwah's Great Garage Sale, to be held at Australia Zoo this Saturday.
The Irwin family's stall, a popular feature of the annual community event, will be stocked with Terri, Bindi and Robert's pre-loved goodies, when Australia Zoo's carpark transforms into a massive garage sale.
"I've seen some of the things Terri has been bringing in for the Irwin family stall, and they are awesome! There are some of Bindi and Robert's pre-loved toys, dolls and books," said Australia Zoo's Marketing Manager, Natalie Hodgskin.
Visitors to Beerwah's Great Garage Sale will be able to snap up some bargains from all of the stalls in the Australia Zoo carpark, which will include pre-loved homewares, clothes, books and plants.
There will also be STACKS of fun activities in the carpark including the giant Croc slide, ripper sausage sizzle from Rotary, and a performance by the traditional dance group, Gubbi Gubbi.
"This is a really great community event, whilst also raising awareness and funds for the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors - Australian Wildlife Hospital," said Natalie.
"There is always a ‘renew, reuse and recycle' message with this event, and we are encouraging everyone to come along and find yourself a pre-loved treasure."
This year visitors will also be able to check out the eco-friendly Segway, which is a fun two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle. The Segway reaches speeds of up to 20km/hr and will be showcased on an awesome trial course. Wooo-hoo!
Proceeds from Beerwah's Great Garage Sale go to the Australian Wildlife Hospital to assist with the great work they do with our local wildlife.
The bargaining action will then spill inside Australia Zoo and into the Crocoseum with an exclusive celebrity auction, where you can bid on very special merchandise signed by the Irwins, including an original Australia Zoo cap signed by Steve, Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin. What a ripper!
Visitors will also be treated to a special performance by members of the World Vision Children's Choir, who will perform live in the Crocoseum, plus there will be a STACK of family fun and activities, including recycling activities, free face painting, Major Prize Draw, colouring competition and free muffins on entry for the early birds.
Don't forget to mention Beerwah's Great Garage Sale at any of Australia Zoo's retail stores to receive a 10% discount on the day. Plus businesses throughout Beerwah are also offering specials on the day - just look out for the red balloons to grab a bargain!
Beerwah's Great Garage Sale runs from 6am until 9.30am on Saturday 15 August, with Australia Zoo's gates opening at 9am. See you there!
Australian Wildlife Hospital wins Master Builders Award!
The Australian Wildlife Hospital has won a regional award in the Master Builders Sunshine Coast Housing and Construction Awards 2009. The awards recognise those at the forefront of building innovation and excellence in the housing and construction industry in Queensland.
The Australian Wildlife Hospital project, completed by Walton Constructions (Qld), won the category for best Tourism and Hospitality Facility up to $8.0 million on the Sunshine Coast.
The Australian Wildlife Hospital project has now been nominated for the State Awards with the winners announced in October.
