Steve inspires volunteer

Australia Zoo's newest volunteer, Zac Sutton, has a passion for all things reptilian! To celebrate his birthday and Australia Zoo's greenest day of the year, Zac began his personal contribution to wildlife through the Zoo's Volunteer Program.

St Patrick's Day not only coincided with Zac's 16th birthday, but marked eight years to the day that he met Steve Irwin - the man he says inspired him from a young age to one day work with wildlife.

"I've been coming to Australia Zoo since I was four-years-old and my education about wildlife has come from visits to the Zoo when I was young and watching all of Steve's documentaries on TV," Zac said.

"Steve had so much enthusiasm and passion for wanting to save wildlife and I really look up to him.

"There's no other place I'd like to work with animals than at Australia Zoo so I'm thrilled to have been given this opportunity as a volunteer."

As an Animal Volunteer, Zac will get hands on experience assisting our Zoo Keepers with food preparation, animal enrichment, and keeping the enclosures in tip top condition by sweeping, hosing, raking, and of course, poop patrol!

Aside from football, caring for his own snakes and upcoming volunteer work, Zac is keen to continue spreading the messages about conservation, in particular the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Cape York. Like the Croc Hunter himself, Zac aspires to one day work with the crocs.

"I'm in the process of collecting petition signatures to Save Steve's Place and plan to alert people to the fact that if a 16-year-old school kid can make a difference, then we all can make a difference," he said.

"I'm really interested in croc research and want to do my bit by educating people about protecting them, just like Steve did."