Australia Zoo struggles without Steve Irwin

News.com websites are reporting that Australia Zoo is in trouble amid claims of debt and mismanagement.

Last month Australasian Leisure Management reported that 22 staff had been made redundant. However, in claims to be published in the latest edition of New Idea former staff members and Sunshine Coast locals say actual staff cuts have exceeded that figure.

Former curator Bruce Murdock told New Idea, that Steve Irwin's zoo was in tatters, stating "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."

Former zoo receptionist Amy-Lee Hines also told the magazine the zoo was in trouble, adding "if things don't turn around, (Australia Zoo) will go down."

The Brisbane Courier-Mail reported that "sources close to the zoo said the recent monetary woes had nothing to do with the global financial crisis or recent floods and more to do with a management team unable to contend with the the loss of its star attraction and earner, Steve Irwin, who died in 2006.

The Courier Mail-story can be viewed at www.heraldsun.com.au/news/crikey-irwins-legacy-in-the-red-as-australia-zoo-crippled-by-debt/story-fn7j19iv-1226009226461

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