Irwin took over the running of the Australia Zoo in Queensland from his parents and managed the zoo with his wife Terri while rising to global fame as a risk-taking wildlife expert.
It was claimed this week that just five years after the Crocodile Hunter’s death at the hands of a sting ray, the zoo was on the brink of being closed down due to financial problems but Terri Irwin has insisted the tourist attraction is comfortable.
Animal lovers: Steve and Terri Irwin ran the zoo after he inherited the centre from his parents
Ihave absolutely no intention of closing Australia Zoo,’ she told Australian broadcaster ABC.
‘Again, our wildlife hospital is running, our wildlife experiences are continuing, and we fund our conservation projects with people who come into Australia Zoo. Nothing has closed. Nothing will close.’
She said that while 22 staff had been made redundant last month due to falling visitor numbers, the zoo’s future was secure.
Her comments came after two former employees said the zoo was in mountains of debt and would be unlikely to survive the year.
Former 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.’
The zoo’s former curator Bruce Murdock, meanwhile, said its management team had struggled to market the zoo after the death of Irwin in 2006.
‘They have blown millions on poor planning and poor execution,’ said former curator Bruce Murdock.
‘Steve had a lot of dreams but they were massive dreams that only he could fund. They are trying to do it on the back of [Steve’s daughter] Bindi and Terri but I don't think they can support it.’
Steve Irwin died aged 44 in September 2006 after he was struck in the chest by a stingray barb while snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef.
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