Australia Zoo Can Make Your Wish Come True

Steve Irwin and family made Australia Zoo famous with their Crocodile adventures and enthusiasm for animals, but their beginnings were modest. Just two acres housed a small collection at the beginning. Though Steve is gone, his wife and two children continue the legacy along with a team of dedicated workers. They want to see animals from Australia and the world protected, and their efforts are going a long way.

For one thing, as the zoo turns forty, staff have learned how to use the web effectively to get its message of animal protection across to a wide audience. Crikey Magazine offers another fun educational avenue. Here, viewers from all over the world can choose their favorite animals to adopt. These include Sheeba the Cheetah and others.

Another thing the web gives people the opportunity to do is plan their trip. There is quite a bit to see including certain options which cost extra. Find out before you arrive and be sure to have adequate funds on hand. Look carefully at the zoo plan and find out what animals are around, such as red pandas, otters, lemurs and echidnas.

For example, take an animal tour, and not just the virtual sort. Have you camera ready, batteries charged and memory card full. By tour, the zoo actually refers to encounters with giraffes, rhinos, dingoes as well as other animals one might never get another chance to be close to. A further way to get up close to a gorgeous, endangered creature is to arrange for a photo opportunity, with a real tiger for example. Seriously. Funds go straight back into wildlife.

The web is not just for amateur movies and narcissism. Thanks to a revolution in on-line media, animal lovers can watch and learn about zoo creatures. Press play to witness some of their habits and get enthusiastic along with their keepers, augmenting a passion for endangered creatures. Videos add to the educational preparation and experience offered by the facility.

Teachers can download specific resources for their students prior to a school outing. They are tailored to particular age groups and help educators make the most of their time. Another way to learn involves a hands on approach. Kids who think they might like a career with animals in the future might be interested in a day camp during the summer or other holidays. Participants learn components of the profession. Jobs include feeding and cleaning critters and their enclosures, just like a professional zoo keeper.

Animals have a special effect on people, including those with devastating illnesses. Australia Zoo knows this and has made it their policy to welcome children with chronic life-threatening conditions. They get involved through connections with Make-A-Wish, The Starlight Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis, two Childrens Hospitals and more.

Finally, even if you never make it to Australia but wish to support animal welfare initiatives, you can. Consider making a donation. Then there is the ever popular on-line store. Have a shirt, badge or other special item sent for yourself or someone special.