Terri and Robert Irwin explain why plants are essential to Australia Zoo | Gardening Australia

Costa visits Australia Zoo and meets with Terri and Robert Irwin to see how the animals here relate to and rely on plants for their food and habitat. Subscribe 🔔 ab.co/GA-subscribe
The zoo was started by the Irwin family as a 2-acre reptile park in 1970 and it’s now a 700-acre zoo employing more than 500 people, who look after 1200 animals. Conservation and education are key goals for the zoo.
Terri Irwin explains that 110 acres is open for guests to explore - and some food is harvested within that - but another 600 acres is set aside to grow plants to feed the animals. A huge range of plants is grown here, from eucalypts to bananas to mulberries, plus hibiscus and roses. No pesticides can be used of course, so it requires a lot of meticulous care.
Elephants are some of the biggest eaters, each chomping through 150kg of plant life a day. There are now four female Sumatran elephants at the zoo.
Even with so much home-grown greens, the food bill is $80,000 a week.
But as Robert points out, they also benefit from the end product of all this feeding; he reckons the best tomatoes in the world come from soil enriched with elephant poo.
Most of the threats to animals stem back to habitat loss, Robert says, so keeping healthy habitat going in the wild is essential to avoiding future animal extinctions. To help preserve these ecosystems, the zoo manages three conservation properties in Queensland.
There is also an animal hospital on site. In the first year there were 60 patients; now the zoo cares for about 10,000 sick or injured animals each year. The hospital has provided 24-hour care for every day since it opened in 2004.
A new hospital has since been built and the zoo works with other institutions to research medicines and preventative measures.
Koalas in care are fed a variety of plants, not just eucalypts, to keep them healthy.
Cheetah Highlands is the new 2.5acre exhibit opened at the zoo last year, allowing visitors to see the world’s fastest land animals close up.
While some palms and trees are supplied for shade and for climbing, cheetahs love wide, open spaces so grassland space dominates their area, with a rock escarpment formation to sit on or shelter under.
Aloes and tall grasses echo the aesthetic of Africa.
The immersive experience extends to staying in an on-site cabin overnight.
The surrounding plants include the rare Coochin Hills Grevillea, which is now self-seeding in the gardens. Australian native good plants are grown for use in the on-site restaurant.
Three large bottle trees, planted by the late Steve Irwin, were becoming swaped in the original location, so when the new centre was built, the plants were moved to form a ‘welcoming committee’ a the new entrance.
“And you know,” says Terri, “that was Steve’s favourite way to garden: with a crane!”
Filmed on Kabi Kabi Country in Beerwah, Qld
Featured plants:
Mulberry (Morus cv.)
Hibiscus (Hibiscus sp.)
Queensland Brush Box (Lophostemon confertus)
Tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys)
Gum-topped box (Eucalyptus moluccana)
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[@Gigi-fv9ky]

It’s interesting listening to Robert say the same things, with similar passion, as his father did decades ago. Funny, too, watching his mother listening to him so attentively, when she, too, was saying this same message years before he was born. 😊

[@ChooRoo]

One of Australia's greatest losses was the legendary Croc Hunter. It is so inspiring to see his legacy and message not only live on, but thrive.

[@coryjackson3131]

Robert keep it up your dad was so important in informing the world about conservation and protecting wildlife. So proud to see you continue your dad’s legacy.

[@ianwilsongardendesign2236]

If there was a Nobel prize for conservation then these guys definitely deserve it. Always loved Steve's enthusiasm and both Terri and Robert have the same positive quality. Awesome project and story and deserves a Crikey!!

[@Birgitte-jh9nv]

What a stunning program tonight, Gardening Australia (Costa)! Loved loved loved this segment of the Irwins! Robert Irwin has grown into such an accomplished, handsome and very intelligent young man, his mum Terri no doubt super proud. The Zoo is a magical place, Bindi the beautiful daughter also an integral part with her husband Chandler and now ofcourse their own lil' family :) (Missed her in the program, would have loved to see her too but perhaps time wise not possible). Thank you, Irwins, for having never given up even after very hard times but continuing the dream of a Zoo, saving so many animals along the way and creating a stunning sustainable eco world, now on 700 acres and with 500 staff. Absolutely fabulous!

[@omfug7148]

My dream vacation would be to stay in one of the cottage rentals.

[@evalynn1863]

I've heard it's absolutely worth every penny.

[@user-wi3ox2pt4o]

Robert looks so much like his Dad Amazing resemblance ❤

[@ruffhausmalinois]

It's so easy to germinate seeds and create thousands of plants daily. ... So much fun

[@zaraustra]

Absolutely beautiful family. Steve was a visionary with a heart of gold. You will truly see and feel this when you visit the zoo.

[@raxtbk]

Robert being the splitting image of his dad is one thing but there's also moments where I had to double take because his excited voice is so similar to Steve. Throws me off every time

[@90skid97]

🥹❤❤ I definitly felt the essence of Steve when I was there. Amazing job Robert and Terri. My heart is overflowing with the beauty of your natural gardens and parklands. So in aw

[@jonny_mazerati9410]

Robert has been working out !

[@isnoo1]

Loved that!! Thank you!

[@dorothyxu4033]

This show is so good. Opening another perspective of how plants connect to wildlife.

[@erikadowdy2382]

The Elephants are Gorgeous ❤ Love everything 😊

[@nickbenn51]

Very happy to see Robert take over the legacy of his father. We'll need someone to take over from Attenborough when that terrible day comes. Perhaps it can be him

[@theflashtheflash6101]

Fantastic thank you for sharing 🙏🥰🌻🍀

[@evalynn1863]

Wonderful video! I know Australia Zoo and the Irwin family have not been shy when it comes to sharing the zoo and the animals, but getting to see all of the plants and learn more about them was fascinating! Loved every minute of this!

[@Diana-ze8wu]

Thank you for sharing your magical world with all of us!

[@oh_k8]

Robert looks and sounds like Steve.

[@petrusvandermerwe-ln7vs]

bring back african memories

[@jonahblack1460]

Great video. Thank you

[@reginaclarke52]

Wonderful

[@GardenGangster85]

So happy I’ve found this! I have soo many questions about the cheetah 🐆! Terri are they breeding?! Cheetah is a crazy animal! All nearly identical clones of each other; I am a plant enthusiast and eater! I hope to visit one day! Love the Irwin’s ❤

[@MugurDeBrad]

[@vwbusguy]

Someone should ask them where all the what looks to be baby scrub turkey chicks they feed to the crocks come from? Or are they chicken chicks

[@dennischihava321]

You lied when you say elephants are endangered species

[@unicornchild9867]

Sumatran elephants are endangered, as are other types of elephant 😊

[@matthewcapper6119]

I had been wondering how to improve my plant offerings for my cheetahs and elephants. I now understand why there were so unhappy. Le sigh. Next time. I'm disappointed that there wasn't any focus on the meerkats though? What am I supposed to do in my garden for them?!

[@wari-bateshwar7461]

Cheetahs are not big cats.

[@zaraustra]

Cheetahs are in the cat family.

[@ruthie8785]

Really? They seem pretty big to me…

[@wombats5128]

Yes they are , they are part of the big cat family.. Where do you think they belong?

[@wari-bateshwar7461]

@@wombats5128 Canine?

[@unicornchild9867]

They are 100% big cats. They're also the only big cats that purr!

[@jek9911]

Nicer than their father.

[@tmmtmm]

a bit harsh. I would have said that the late Irwin was criticized for being more tourism and less conservation focused. In the end, without the former the latter would be worse off for it.

[@joelmaguire4382]

That’s low he was a legend

[@Birgitte-jh9nv]

@jek9911 You forgot to put the *r* in your name. You know, after the letters je and before k.

[@bas4903]

Probably from someone that wasn't even born before he passed. Just a little troll

[@Gigi-fv9ky]

@@tmmtmmI am older and remember Steve Irwin very well. He was very conservation focused. Every program he made showcased his love for and concern about the wildlife and environment. I don’t remember any criticism about him not being focused on conservation. Was that criticism in Australia?