Wildlife Warriors


Background

"Wildlife, habitat and people all depend on each other - a healthy environment requires an investment in humanity and the support of a caring global community. This is what nature intended".

Steve Irwin

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide was initiated in 2002 by Steve and Terri Irwin as a way to include and involve other caring people to support the protection of injured, threatened or endangered wildlife - from the individual animal to an entire species.

The Australian charity was launched publicly in April 2006, with the soft launch of the US charity occurring in early 2007. Terri remains involved as Patron, advisor and significant supporter, however the charities now operate independently with their own Board of Directors.

The mission for Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors is to be the most effective wildlife conservation charity in the world through the delivery of outstanding outcome-based programs and projects, inclusive of humanity.

Steve Irwin, the original Wildlife Warrior, did what no-one else had been able to do before him - to get millions of people worldwide passionate and enthusiastic about wildlife. His energy, his passion, his love of animals and his family values have motivated people of all ages, of all walks of life, to be fascinated by the beauty and importance of our natural world.

Everyone involved in Steve Irwin Day and Backyard Camp-out activities will be helping Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors to carry on Steve's important legacy.

Wildlife Warriors Worldwide Steve and terri Irwin

Current Projects

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide is involved in a number of key projects, including:

  • Building the World's Largest Wildlife Hospital - the Australian Wildlife Hospital project (due for completion early 2008).
  • Expansion of a 24 hour wildlife rescue team which operates from the Australian Wildlife Hospital and covers an area of approximately 100 square kilometres. The team also responds to wildlife emergencies elsewhere within Australia and overseas.
  • Supporting the establishment of a wildlife hospital in Cambodia to treat and rehabilitate wildlife that has been caught in traps or orphaned due to illegal poaching. This is a supplementary project to our broader conservation efforts and utilizes the expertise of our Australian Wildlife Hospital team.
  • Tiger conservation - we are involved in projects based in India, Indonesia and Bhutan that are designed to protect one of the most critically endangered animals in the world. We work in partnership with LifeForce, Fauna and Flora International and TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network.
  • Cheetah conservation - we are working in partnership with De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre in South Africa to track and relocate problem cheetahs away from local villages. We are proud to assist the efforts of De Wildt's crucial program in securing the future of this threatened and truly magnificent animal. We are also supporting the Cheetah Conservation Fund's ground-breaking Anatolian Shepherd Dog program. These amazing dogs are specially trained to guard farmer's flock from predators. The cheetah is often blamed for stock losses and shot as a means of retribution. Since implementing this preventative program, there have been no reported stock losses for the participating farmers and the lives of many cheetahs have been saved.
  • Asian elephant conservation - we are supporting Conservation Response Units in world-heritage listed areas - Gunung Leuser National Park and Benkulu - in Sumatra. We are working to protect these magnificent giants of the forest from the threats of poaching, human/animal conflict and habitat loss brought about by illegal logging. In addition, we are hot on the trail of elephant conservation in Cambodia with an innovative agricultural project which helps mitigate the elephant-human conflict by using chilli plants to protect villager's crops.
  • Establishment of an Ecological Services Unit - based in Queensland and operating nationally, this team provides the link between wildlife, business and local government. The team has developed a Code of Practice for the appropriate management of wildlife affected by land clearing. It is hoped that this will set a benchmark that may be replicated around the world.
  • Koala Research - we are undertaking two key projects - (i) examining the role of koala retrovirus in koala chlamydiosis; (ii) investigating the migration patterns of rehabilitated koalas returned to the wild and their ability to establish new home ranges.
  • Crocodile Research - we are working on important research programs in Queensland with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the University of Queensland to better understand the movements and habits of crocodiles in an effort to facilitate the planning of community developments and potential animal relocation. The results from this research are already re-writing text books and will help to protect both crocodilian and human populations. Crocodile rescue teams from Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors are also deployed from time to time to help relocate crocs that have strayed into public areas, as well as providing community education on living with these prehistoric giants.
Australian Wildlife Hospital Tiger conservation Cheetah conservation Asian Elephant conservation Koala Research Crocodile Research

What the money raised will support

Native wildlife is seriously under threat- from habitat destruction, urbanization, global warming, and the incursions of foreign predators.

All proceeds from Steve Irwin Day and Backyard Camp-out activities will be directed to Australia Zoo Wildlife Warrior Worldwide programs that are dedicated to the preservation of wildlife and habitat.

Become a Wildlife Warrior and get involved!

Join us and become a Wildlife Warrior on Steve Irwin Day. You can do this by:

  1. Registering to participate in Backyard Camp-out and Khaki Day as part of Steve Irwin Day. Registration available late August.
  2. Making a one-off donation on our website.
  3. Joining Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors annual giving program and save wildlife and habitat.
Saving a Turtle

How do I make a donation?

You can get involved and become a Wildlife Warrior by conducting a fundraising event in your local community, at your workplace or school.

Donate to:

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide

Australia Donations
Tax deductible against Australian income

International Donations
Not tax deductible

 

Donate to:

Wildlife Warriors USA Inc.

USA Donations Only
Tax deductible against USA income

Other ways you can donate

Phone: +61 7 5436 2026

Mail: Cheque made payable to Wildlife Warriors to PO Box 29, Beerwah QLD 4519