Steve Irwin’s Recently Unearthed Letter to His Father Bob Makes Their Family Feud Even Sadder

This article was originally published on For What It’s Earth and has been republished to Hype Galore with permission.

The Irwin family is not only one of the most famous families in Australia; but also the world. They have become known as icons of animal welfare and conservation – and this is largely thanks to the late and great Steve Irwin. The legendary “Crocodile Hunter” thrust his whole family into the spotlight during his reign, but after his sad passing in 2006, they were left to pick up the pieces of a bitter family feud that’s been ongoing for decades.

Image: WireImage / Marc Grimwade

Yes, behind one of the world’s happiest and most famous families lies relationships that are fraught with tension – leaving some individuals shoved to the sidelines. But how would Steve feel about the growing hostility amongst those he loved most dear? Well, a recently unearthed letter written by Steve over two decades ago sheds light on the family feud, and makes the whole situation even more unsettling.

Steve Irwin Rose to Fame on The Crocodile Hunter, and His Family Quickly Stole the Spotlight

Stephen Robert Irwin will forever be remembered as a zookeeper, television personality, and – most notably – “The Crocodile Hunter.” This nickname stemmed from the TV show that thrust Steve and his wife Terri Irwin into the limelight in 1996. And while hunting crocodiles was a niche section of the television world, Steve’s Australian accent, his exuberance for life and animals, and his fun catchphrase of “Crikey!” took the world by storm.

Image: Getty / Justin Sullivan

Steve and his whole family – which included his wife, young daughter Bindi, and newborn son Robert – were all anyone could talk about during the early 2000s. They had become the owners of the famed Australia Zoo in Queensland, and the whole family’s love of animals and each other was celebrated across the globe. From the outside, they seemed perfect. But behind closed doors there was a bitter argument brewing.

When Steve Sadly Passed Away in 2006, He Seemed to Be On Good Terms with His Father

For many years, Steve Irwin captivated the hearts of animal lovers everywhere – and viewers of his show and guests at his zoo could see that he was not only passionate about animals, but also about his family. However, tragedy struck in 2006 when Steve was pierced in the chest by a stingray and sadly passed away. His death instantly became international news, and hearts broke for the family he left behind, including two young children.

Image: Getty / Dave Hunt

But over the years, the real relationship between Steve and his family has been questioned. While they seemed to be a happy-go-lucky family from what we saw on TV, it’s since come to light that Steve passed on a bitter feud between his father, Robert “Bob” Irwin Snr, and his wife and kids. One thing we do know, though, is that Steve was on good terms with his father before he passed away… so what happened after that?

Bob Irwin Founded the Wildlife Park That Later Became Australia Zoo When Steve Irwin Was Just Eight Years Old

To understand Bob Irwin’s place within the Irwin family feud, it’s best to understand his history – especially when it comes to his role at Australia Zoo. That’s because Steve Irwin’s passion for animals and crocodiles stemmed directly from his parents. His mother Lyn (who passed away in 2000) worked as a wildlife rehabilitator when Steve was younger, and his father was a keen herpetologist. Bob loved all reptiles, but he was most interested in crocodiles.

Image: Facebook / Toowomba Koala and Rescue

In fact, Bob Irwin loved reptiles so much that he established his own wildlife park with his wife when his son was just eight years old. The Beerwah Reptile Park opened its doors to visitors in 1970, and this allowed Steve the chance to grow up around these animals and learn everything he could about them. Little did he know that he would one day have a much bigger role in the Beerwah Reptile Park – which later became the iconic Australia Zoo.

Steve Helped His Father Run the Park Until He Met Fellow Croc-Lover Terri Raines in 1991

For much of his childhood, Steve immersed himself into the world of wildlife – from handling them to learning about their conservation. Every day he would help his father run the park by feeding the animals and maintaining the enclosures, and Bob Irwin taught him everything he knew along the way. By the time he was nine he had already wrestled his very first crocodile, something he would become famous for years later.

Image: Getty / Justin Sullivan

As he got older, Steve continued to work at the park while undertaking new courses and programs that would allow him to become an expert in the field. He stayed by his father’s side for much of this adventure, but things began to change in 1991 when he met a fellow crocodile-lover by the name of Terri Haines. From that moment on, their lives would never be the same again.

Steve and Terri Tied the Knot in 1992, and Bob Irwin Wanted to Surprise Them with a Wedding Gift like No Other

While working at his father’s wildlife park in 1991, Steve came across an American woman by the name of Terri Raines. This passionate naturalist was originally from Eugene, Oregon, but had traveled to Australia to visit some of the many wildlife rehabilitation facilities on offer in the country. But as she set eyes on the blonde-haired zookeeper, she knew that she wouldn’t be returning home anytime soon.

Image: Twitter / Terri Irwin

According to Terri, she instantly fell in love with Steve when she saw him. She noted that “I thought there was no one like this anywhere in the world. He sounded like an environmental Tarzan, a larger-than-life superhero guy.” Thankfully, Steve felt the same, and after four months he popped the question and they tied the knot on June 4, 1992. It was the happiest day of their lives, but Bob Irwin had an incredible wedding present he couldn’t wait to give them.

Bob Handed over His Wildlife Park to the Newlyweds, But He Still Wanted to Remain Involved and Work There

As Bob watched his son get married to a keen conservationist like himself, he knew that he wanted to give Steve and Terri a wedding gift like no other. So, in order to pass down his legacy to his son – he gave them the keys to the kingdom. He relinquished his ownership duties of his wildlife park and gave the newlywed couple the chance to run it themselves. However, he did have a few stipulations when it came to this gift.

Image: Getty / Fairfax Media

Bob wanted to continue working in the zoo that he had built from the ground up, and he still wanted to maintain some of his involvement in the running of the park. For a while, this was no problem – and Bob even had no qualms about the fact that Steve and Terri decided to rename the park ‘Australia Zoo’. However, Bob soon began to feel uneasy about the direction in which the zoo was going.

As They Took Ownership, Steve and Terri Made It a Family Affair and Involved Their Own Kids

After Steve and Terri took ownership of the Australia Zoo, things began to change. Thanks to the success of The Crocodile Hunter and the various other television projects that Steve and Terri had been involved in, footfall in the zoo instantly increased – with many guests hoping to get a glimpse of the Irwin family in the flesh. Because of this, the family and their zoo became somewhat of a brand that people just couldn’t get enough of.

Image: Getty / Australia Zoo

For a while, this worked wonders. The main Irwins were at the forefront of the zoo’s marketing campaigns and Bob continued to work behind the scenes as per their arrangement. However, everything changed when Steve passed away unexpectedly. It soon became clear that the Crocodile Hunter was the glue holding the whole family together, and without him they soon began to fall apart.

Shortly After Steve’s Passing, Bob Irwin Shocked Everyone When He Resigned from His Role at Australia Zoo

As the world mourned the loss of a zookeeping legend, the Irwin family were fighting their own battles behind the scenes. However, the world didn’t learn about this until a few months later, when Bob Irwin shocked everyone by handing in his resignation to Australia Zoo. As he was the founder and the father of the man who had taken the zoo to new heights, fans just couldn’t understand why he would do such a thing.

Image: Getty / Fairfax Media

Rumors began to spiral that the resignation had come after Bob and Terri came to bitter blows. However, Terri and officials at the zoo wanted to squash these rumors quickly. They released a statement that said, “Bob is a gentleman of retirement age and we fully support and love him dearly. He has been through so much grief with the loss of his wife Lyn and only son. These rumors [of a rift] need to end in respect to the Irwin family.”

Rumors Suggested That Terri Had Banned Bob from the Park, and Bob Seemed to Confirm the Allegations

Despite the statement from Terri and the zoo, some fans didn’t believe that Bob had simply retired. This caused rumors to spiral even more, and reports at the time even suggested that the argument between Bob and Terri had been so intense that she had banned her late husband’s father from ever entering the zoo again. Although Bob stayed quiet on the matter for a while, he finally decided to have his say in 2008.

Image: Getty / Heather Faulkner

During an interview with Australian Story, Bob noted that “I just felt that it was better for everybody concerned if I left Australia Zoo and Judy [his second wife] and I and all our friends were able to continue Steve’s work the way I believe it should be done. The problem I had was that the management and I didn’t agree on certain aspects of Australia Zoo after Steve’s passing… because most times I went into Australia Zoo, I would have a different sort of opinion with somebody… or I may have an idea and it would not be listened to.”

Bob Maintains That He Has Tried to Keep In Contact with the Family Since, but That He Has Been Rejected

Since he left Australia Zoo, Bob hasn’t been back. Whether he’s not been allowed or has chosen not to remains to be seen, but the drama surrounding the family has only continued. While Bob claims that he has tried to keep in contact with Terri, Robert and Bindi – especially after Bindi got married and welcomed her daughter into the world – he’s suggested that he’s been rejected every time.

Image: WireImage/ Marc Grimwade

And while the other Irwins have stayed noticeably quiet about their father-in-law and grandfather over the years, there have been occasions where they just haven’t been able to stay silent. And in 2021, Bindi Irwin publicly called her grandfather out on social media. Her message has since gone viral, especially after Steve Irwin’s old letter to his father resurfaced.

In 2021, Bindi Irwin Publicly Called Out Her Grandfather When She Posted a Father’s Day Message on Social Media

Bindi Irwin, Steve Irwin’s oldest child, is a huge celebrity on social media. Not only does she share snippets of her life working at Australia Zoo, but she also shares personal photos of her husband and daughter, Grace. She’s been praised for continuing her father’s legacy, but Bindi got everyone talking in June 2021 when she posted a series of photos of her husband, father, and father-in-law on social media to celebrate Father’s Day in Australia.

Image: Facebook / Bindi Irwin

Alongside these photos, she wrote that these men were the “three most incredible fathers in [her] life.” But fans were quick to question the post, and they couldn’t help but notice that Bob Irwin was missing. One particular social media user decided to point this out by asking, “What about your grandfather you know your fathers, father!!! He too was a good man, who I assume got the shaft.” Although Bindi doesn’t often respond to comments, she made an exception when she saw this.

Bindi Claimed That Her Grandfather Bob Makes No Effort with Her Family, and That He Subjected Her to Psychological Abuse

When Bindi posted her response, it immediately got everyone talking – as she seemed to confirm the rumors once and for all that there was a family feud between the Irwins. She began her response with, “Thank you very much for your comment. I really wish that my entire family could spend time with Grace. Unfortunately my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family.”

Image: Getty / Fairfax Media

However, she didn’t stop there. She also noted that “Publicly he continues to claim that he wants to spend time with us while privately my entire life has been psychological abuse from him. He has returned gifts I’ve sent after he opened them, he has ignored my correspondence and from the time I was a little girl he has ignored me, preferring to spend time doing anything else rather than being with me. He has never said a single kind word to me personally.”

Bindi Also Claimed That Her Mom Supports Bob Financially, Before She Took a Break from Social Media

These new revelations certainly shocked fans who had been following the post, but Bindi still hadn’t finished what she had to say. She tied up her remarks by saying, “It breaks my heart but it is not healthy to engage in an abusive relationship. My mum still writes to him and sends birthday and Christmas gifts to him with no response.” Within this post, she also made claims that her mom supports Bob Irwin financially, having supposedly bought him a house.

Image: WireImage / SGranitz

As you can imagine, fans were divided when they saw this post on social media. Some believe that Bob Irwin left his family behind when his son passed away, while others believe that Bob has been shunned from the family. And as these people commented their opinion, Bindi decided that she had finally had enough. She made the decision to take a break from social media for her mental health.

Bindi Had Previously Noted in 2015 That She Hadn’t Spoken to Her Grandfather Since 2008

While Bindi’s comments in 2021 seemed out of the blue, this wasn’t the first time she had spoken publicly about her grandfather. She seems to be the only member of the Irwin family willing to talk about the rumored feud, but these comments are few and far between. However, her comments in 2015 seemed to be more positive – even though she confirmed that she hadn’t spoken to Bob Irwin since 2008.

Image: Matrix / GC Images

While on the red carpet that year, Bindi told a reporter that “Everyone deals with grief differently. When my dad passed away, he [Bob] chose to distance himself from everything that Dad loved the most…At the moment we are really just respecting his wishes because he hasn’t had anything to do with us for a long time, and he decided to take his own path. That’s important, so good for him.” Comparing the comment in 2021 and the one in 2015, it’s clear to see that the feud has gone up a notch in recent years. Most notably after the letter was released.

An Old Letter Written by Steve Irwin Was Unearthed in 2016, Dividing Fans of the Family Even More

Over the years, rumors of the family feud between the Irwins and the comments made by Bindi have divided fans. Some have sided with Bob, while others believe Bindi’s claims. But these fans were given even more to weigh up in 2016 when a letter written by Steve Irwin himself made the rounds on social media. It quickly went viral and drew even more attention to the fact that his father, his wife, and children were fighting.

Image: Getty / Dave Hunt

The letter was written by Steve to his parents in 1994, just a few years after he married Terri and a short while after they were given full responsibility of Australia Zoo. For many fans it’s interesting to see and read this letter. It’s not a negative letter showing cracks in their relationship, but instead a hugely uplifting and emotional letter that proves his relationship with his father was a positive one before he passed away.

In This Letter, Steve Calls His Parents Bob and Lyn His ”Best Friends” and His ”Strength”

Steve Irwin was 32 when he wrote this letter to his parents, and while it’s not known why he wrote such a letter or during which circumstances, the wholesome words have touched the hearts of fans everywhere. That’s because this letter is an ode to his parents, who he thanks for the way they raised him and how much they loved him.

Image: Getty / Heather Faulkner

He wrote, “At 32, I am finally starting to figure it out. In good times and in bad, you were there. Your strength and endurance to raise me will not go unrewarded. My love for you is my strength! For the rest of my life I will reflect on the unbelievably GREAT times we’ve shared and will continue to share. You’re my best friends!” When fans read this letter, many of them took a step back to look at the Irwin feud from another angle.

After Reading the Letter, Many Fans Believe That Steve Would Have Hated the Fact That His Wife and Father Are Feuding

It’s clear to see from this letter that, in 1994, Steve was on great terms with his parents. Something could have changed in the run-up to his passing in 2006, but it’s obvious that Steve had a deep love and admiration for his mom and dad – which makes the feud between his father Bob and the rest of his family extremely confusing. What happened to cause such a divide?

Image: Facebook / Bindi Irwin

While many fans have created their own version of events, one thing most people can agree on is the fact that Steve would have hated the fact that his family are fighting. They believe that it would have broken his heart to see his father resigning from the zoo and his daughter publicly calling him out on social media. And, in fact, a lot of fans have turned on Bindi since her outburst.

Many Fans Have Turned on Bindi, and Another One of Bob Irwins’ Granddaughter’s Has Called Her Out

To coincide with this public shift, many of those closest to Bob Irwin have also decided to have their say. After Bethany Wheeler, another granddaughter of Bob Irwin saw Bindi’s comment on social media, she quickly rushed to her grandfather’s defense. To begin with, Bethany cleared up her relationship with him, stating that she is “the granddaughter of Bob Irwin via marriage of my father and my Stepmother Mandy as a very young child.”

Image: Getty / Fairfax Media

She wrote on social media that her grandfather Bob is “the most genuinely beautiful human on this planet and has NEVER spoken out or put down anybody! He is a man who sits silently and battles his demons alone, in what is great sadness. He doesn’t retaliate, only prays for his grandchildren’s safety and good lives.” Bethany also maintained that her “sisters and brothers will happily back me up when I say that Bob Irwin is a passive and beautiful human and these lies need to stop.”

The Biographer Who Wrote Bob Irwin’s Book Has Also Noted That She Was Surprised by Bindi’s Claims

Bethany isn’t the only one close to Bob who has been confused over Bindi Irwin’s claims on social media, though. While co-writing Bob Irwin’s autobiography The Last Crocodile Hunter in 2016, Amanda French found herself becoming friends with the conservationist. And she told the Australian radio show Stav, Abby and Matt that she was surprised to hear Bindi’s take on the situation.

Image: Getty / Patrick Hamilton

Amanda noted that “It’s a surprise with what Bindi came out and said. There were some pretty weighty terms that were thrown around, psychological abuse and all that stuff. You’d have to have some pretty big evidence to back that. It’s a pretty big call to make.” During this interview, Amanda also went into more detail about Bob’s relationship with the rest of the Irwins – and she clarified certain claims made by Steve’s daughter.

Bob’s Biographer Confirmed That Bob Returned Gifts Sent by Terri Irwin, but Only Because These Gifts Were ”Strange”

Interestingly, Amanda did not deny or question all of the claims that Bindi Irwin made on social media. In fact, she confirmed that Bob had indeed returned gifts sent to him – but only ones that had been sent by Terri Irwin. And she noted that there was a very good reason for him doing so, as the gifts were always “strange.”

Image: Getty / Bradley Kanaris

Amanda admitted that “I’ve been there when he’s received gifts, and it was a shower cap. Really strange thing to send a man. To me it’s a passive aggressive thing to do, that’s my perspective. After a while of that Bob returned one of the gifts.” Amanda also maintained that Steve never retuned any gifts from his grandchildren, but only the ones that he deemed to be strange and unusual from Terri herself. But that’s not all Amanda had to share.

She Also Seemed to Confirm the Rumor That Bob Is Banned from the Zoo, Which Is Where His Son Is Buried

During this interview, Amanda also seemed to confirm the rumor that when Bob left the Australia Zoo in 2008, he was also banned from ever returning. In Amanda’s eyes, this is the worst part to come from the whole feud – as this isn’t just a zoo that he built from scratch. It’s also the resting place of his late son, which means that he cannot visit Steve Irwin’s burial site.

Image: Getty / Fairfax Media

Amanda confessed that Bob Irwin has not set foot on Australia Zoo’s soil since 2008 when he snuck in to celebrate the launch of their new wildlife hospital. Before Steve passed away, the hospital was going to be dedicated to Bob Irwin and his wife Lyn – but that idea was snubbed after his death. Amanda noted the Irwins “retracted Bob’s invitation to attend that launch and he turned up anyway. I organized that event and I remember him turning up on the day and sitting in the audience looking very upset.”

According to Reports, Multiple Long-Term Members of Staff at the Zoo Have Also Resigned Since Bob Left

When looking at the circumstances surrounding the Irwin Feud, it seems as though there was a disconnect between the way that Bob Irwin wanted to run the Australia Zoo and how Terri Irwin wanted to run it after her husband’s passing. But it’s been suggested that Bob hasn’t been the only one to question her motives and her decisions over the years.

Image: WireImage / Marc Grimwade

Bob’s biographer Amanda has reported that many long-term and well-loved members of the team have also left the zoo under Terri’s new management style. She noted that “When I went back to write the book and spoke to those key people who worked with Bob and Steve, there was still some bad blood there with how they were treated. They adored them [Bob and Steve], and never had a boss like them again.”

Bob Officially Retired in 2018, and Now Lives a Quiet Life with His Wife in Kingaroy

While Terri Irwin noted that Bob Irwin left the Australia Zoo because he was retiring, it seems as though that wasn’t on Bob’s own terms. In fact, he didn’t retire at all. After his son passed away he left Brisbane to live at his 259-hectare property at Wattle Camp near Kingaroy – three hours away from Brisbane – with his wife. Shortly after, he founded his not-for-profit organization, the Bob Irwin Wildlife & Conservation Foundation.

Image: Getty / Fairfax Media

In his book, he wrote his reason for starting the foundation. He confessed that “When the world lost Steve, the animals lost the best friend they ever had, and so did I. But he’s still here with me and knowing that means that I am able to gain strength from him, and harness the same passion and drive that he and I had together.” Bob continued working on his foundation for the preservation of animals and wildlife for ten years before he eventually decided to officially retire in 2018.

Today, Bindi, Robert, and Terri Are Still One of the Most Famous Aspects of the Australia Zoo

While Bob Irwin is now living a quiet life, the rest of the Irwin family are busier and more popular than ever. Australia Zoo is constantly teaming with visitors, and their online presence has grown exponentially. For most fans, seeing Bindi and Robert Irwin step into the shoes of their late father is one of the most heartwarming things they have ever seen.

Image: Facebook / Bindi Irwin

Robert has been dubbed the “Young Steve Irwin” and Bindi has won fans over with her animal knowledge and her adorable family. However, there are still many people – especially in Australia – who still yearn for the olden days. They wish Steve Irwin were still alive, and they wish that Bob, the original founder of the zoo, still had a relationship with the establishment. Unfortunately, that just isn’t the case.

Fans Hope That One Day the Family Will Be Able to Resolve Their Feud, in the Memory of Steve

Yes, fans are definitely divided when it comes to the zoo and the Irwin family as a whole. While there’s no doubt about the fact that each and every one of them has kept the memory of Steve Irwin alive, the process of doing so has also torn the family apart. Their feud has now been ongoing for decades, and it only seems to be getting worse.

Image: Facebook / Bindi Irwin

After reading Steve’s heartbreaking letter to his parents, many fans have asked the family to put their differences aside for the sake of Steve himself. He would never have wanted the ones he loved most to be fighting in such a way, and they believe that he would have been so disappointed with the outcome. Hopefully, the family can resolve their issues in their own time.

The Feud Isn’t the Only Thing the Irwins Have to Worry About, as the Future of Australia Zoo Hangs in the Balance

It’s easy to assume that the feud between Bob Irwin and the rest of the Irwin family is probably taking up a lot of their time, energy, and their thoughts. However, it seems as though this isn’t the only thing the Irwins have to worry about, as they have much more pressing matters to be dealing with at the moment. That’s because it’s been suggested that Australia Zoo is crumbling without Bob and Steve Irwin’s influence.

Yes, reports have noted that the future of Australia Zoo currently hangs in the balance. This notion has also been confirmed by Bindi Irwin herself, who admitted last year that her father’s legacy was crumbling down around them as the Covid-19 pandemic reared its head. Apparently, the zoo was heavily impacted by the worldwide pandemic, and things haven’t gotten any better in recent months.

Australia Zoo Was Forced to Close for 78 Days during the Pandemic, and This Caused Huge Financial Strain

Although Australia as a country was not hit hard by coronavirus cases, their government was strict with rules – entering into multiple nationwide lockdowns. This meant that the zoo had to close to visitors, and Bindi Irwin confirmed that at one point, they were forced to shut for a whole 78 days. During an emotional Instagram post at the end of 2020, Bindi went into detail about how this affected the zoo.

Image: 7News

She wrote that “For us, this year was filled with both tremendous joy and heartbreaking loss.” She noted that their wildlife hospital was the “busiest it’s ever been” due to the bushfires they suffered in Australia and that their running costs were still so high even though the zoo was closed. She went on to further say that “Our animal food bills alone are about $80,000 per week and we spent our days trying to keep our team and family of animals safe.”

With Borders Closed, Visitors from Oversees Couldn’t Visit the Zoo, and This Caused Their Profits to Dwindle Dramatically

When coronavirus restrictions lifted, Australia Zoo was eventually allowed to open its doors to paying visitors once again – but this still wasn’t enough. With overseas visitors banned from entering the country, the Irwins lost crucial profit they needed to feed their animals and keep the animal park running.

Image: Twitter / Australia Zoo

A source told The Daily Mail that “The zoo relies on international visitors, and with the borders closed, indeed some state borders closed, and even Aussies struggling to get home, that’s a sizable chunk of their income gone.” And don’t forget, during this time stories surrounding Terri’s feud with Bob Irwin were starting to rear their head. All in all, the Irwins had to deal with a lot. But it was only going to get worse.

By February 2021, Rumors Suggested That the Zoo Was in Even More Financial Trouble Than We Realized

Unfortunately, things didn’t get any easier for Terri, Robert, Bindi, and the rest of the team at Australia Zoo as time wore on. With still no end in sight for the pandemic, the zoo is still suffering the effects of its 73-day closure and fewer visitors. And in February 2021, rumors began to suggest that the zoo was in even more trouble than we first realized.

The future of the zoo was hanging in the balance, and all many fans and animal lovers could think about was the effect this would have had on Steve Irwin – and how it was affecting his father, Bob Irwin. Many hoped that these difficult months would bring the current owners of the park and the founder back together in an effort to save Australia Zoo, but this just didn’t happen.

Animal Feed Set the Zoo Back $80,000 a Week, but They Also Had to Pay $400,000 a Week on Staff

With low visitor numbers in February, Australia Zoo seemed to have hit rock bottom. This was mainly because they had very little money coming in, but there was still a huge amount of money going out – and they had no option but to spend their money as though they were still at pre-corona capacity.

Image: Twitter / Terri Irwin)

That’s because, although people weren’t allowed at the zoo, the animals still needed to be looked after. So, alongside paying around $80,000 a week on food for all of the animals, they also needed to pay the staff to look after the animals, clean out the enclosures, and make sure that the animals were healthy and well. And Terri herself noted that the Australia Zoo spends around $400,000 every single week on staff wages.

Because the Zoo Has Struggled So Much, Terri Irwin Has Also Had to Fire People

We already know that many staff members at the Australia Zoo chose to leave when Bob Irwin left and Terri Irwin adopted her own management style, but it seems as though the employee count at the zoo has decreased even more in recent months. According to reports, Terri had to make the decision to fire some of the best members of their team to cut costs.

Image: Twitter / Australia Zoo

An employee at the zoo spoke to New Idea about the cutbacks, stating that countless redundancies have already taken place. They noted that “several key staffers” have been fired, and that more could be on the way. This must have been devastating for Terri Irwin, but even more devastating for Bob Irwin. As he stands, shunned at the sidelines, his zoo is crumbling before his very eyes. In fact, it might not even remain in the Irwin family for much longer…

Rumors Have Suggested That Terri Is in Talks to Sell the Zoo to Those Outside of the Irwin Family

Although the Australia Zoo has been in Irwin hands since Bob Irwin founded the original zoo back in 1970, it seems as though the coronavirus pandemic has had a bigger impact on it than anyone could have ever imagined. So much so that rumors have suggested that Terri Irwin is looking to sell it. And considering their ongoing feud, we don’t think she’ll be selling it back to Bob Irwin.

Image: US Weekly

Sources have suggested that Terri “might soon explore the option of selling” – mainly because of the financial strain they’re currently dealing with. Even today, rules are still strict when it comes to entering Australia, which means that they’re still not back up to the capacity that they would hope to be. With so much strain, it seems as though Terri wants to wash her hands of the responsibility. But that’s not the only reason why Terri wants to sell.

In Recent Months, Terri Has Also Expressed That She Misses Her Home Country in the States

While Terri has lived in Australia ever since she met and married the Crocodile Hunter in 1992, she’s not originally from the country. She became a naturalized Australian citizen in 2009, but she was born and bred in the United States. She grew up in Eugene, Oregon, and she lived in the same area for her whole life up until she moved across the pond.

Twitter / Terri Irwin

And in recent months, Terri seems to be yearning for her old life back in the States. She has expressed her homesickness on social media, and one particular tweet struck a chord with fans who have been concerned about the future of Australia Zoo. In this tweet, she wrote: “I miss my home town, Eugene Oregon. I miss my family, friends, and the beautiful wildlife.” Could she be selling up to head back to the US after all this time?

At the Moment, the Future of the Zoo and Steve Irwin’s Legacy Remains Uncertain

One of the main reasons Terri Irwin stayed in Australia after her husband’s tragic passing was to keep his memory alive and to keep his legacy within Australia Zoo. However, now the zoo is struggling financially and she’s looking into the idea of selling, everything hangs in the balance. Will she take her family to the US? Or will she stick it out and hope that the zoo turns a corner?

Image: Biography.com

Either way, fans of Steve Irwin and Bob Irwin are worried. They’ve seen the zoo change so much since Bob handed it over, and then changed even more since Steve passed away. And considering many people visit the zoo purely for the Irwin name that’s attached to it, it seems as though a decision to leave would have a disastrous effect on the whole attraction.

As Their Feud Continues, All Bob Irwin Can Do Is Watch His Zoo Struggle from the Sidelines

Of course, many people sympathize with Terri Irwin. They know how hard it must be to maintain the legacy of a man who was loved so dearly – not only by her but also by the general public. And toying up the idea of selling or pushing through must be a constant battle in her mind. However, many people are also concerned for Bob Irwin.

Image: The Courier Mail

As the founder of the zoo, fans believe that he should have a say in what happens next. But since the whole family is not talking and they’re in the midst of one of the most bitter celebrity family feuds of all time, we have a feeling that he has not been involved in this process at all. Instead, he has to simply watch from the sidelines as the zoo he built crumbles. Let’s hope it can all be resolved soon.