Strewth! An Australia Zoo in Las Vegas!
Before he died, Steve Irwin had an ambition for an Australian themed zoo in Las Vegas. Now, three years after his death, his dream will finally be realised.
Steve Irwin first came up with the idea back in January 2004. His ambitious $40 million plan was to showcase Australian wildlife in the heart of America’s gambling mecca, but the plan was suspended whilst Steve and his wife Terri, concentrated their efforts on expanding their Australia Zoo in Queensland.
Now those plans have been given the kiss of life as representatives of the Irwins met with Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, to discuss the proposals in more depth.
The Australian themed zoo would be stocked with native Australian wildlife and would feature the crocodile wrestling show that made Steve Irwin famous.
Mr Goodman said of the plans: “It looks like a great project with a crocodile-type enclosure where they would wrestle with the crocodiles and feed the crocodiles and have a real educational component to it and we’re going to continue those discussions.�
The zoo would be built in downtown Las Vegas alongside a brand new children’s hospital. “I’m trying to marry the two of them together because I think it would be great to have the crocodile zoo, so to speak, next to a children’s hospital where children have to be cheered,� Mr Goodman stated.
Personally I think it would scare the heebie jeebies out of children, but what do I know?
Mr Goodwin however, is clearly a lover of crocs. “I’m a big crocodile fan. I love crocodiles. So it’s my kind of zoo.�
Steve Irwin would probably have to agree with that statement! Steve had become a huge hit in the US before his tragic death in 2006 by a stingray barb. His family have recently been plagued with rumours that some of Steve’s remains were fed to his favourite crocodile, Bindi, a claim that is strenuously denied by his widow Terri.
Steve’s legacy, the Australia Zoo is now one of Queensland’s top tourist attractions and there are hopes that Steve’s memory will now also live on in Las Vegas.
Australia Zoo is open every day from 9am till 5pm, visit their website at Australia Zoo to find out more.
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