Irwin Family Faces Backlash After Croc Relocation to Australia Zoo

A crocodile that was once captured in the 1990s – and later released – by the late conservationist Steve Irwin has been returned to his family’s zoo in Queensland.

Known as ‘Old Faithful’, the four-metre creature has been rehomed to Australia Zoo, after being dubbed ‘unreleasable’ and a ‘danger’ to tourists in Far North Queensland.

But the decision to host the croc at the famed private preserve, now operated by Steve’s widow, Terri Irwin, has upset conservationists and Traditional owners.

Australia Zoo shared a throwback video from the 1990s of Steve and Terri Irwin finding the croc after it had become entangled in a net.

Footage shows Steve and his team rescuing Old Faithful and releasing him into a waterhole.

Included in the Instagram share was a statement from Australia Zoo that explained why they decided to take the saltwater crocodile back after Steve and Terri first encountered the fearsome creature in the 1990s.

‘After decades ruling his waterhole, in Far North Queensland, people not being Croc Wise sadly meant he was deemed a “problem crocodile” by the government and he was removed’, the statement began.

After including a message to tourists to ‘respect’ crocs in the wild, the statement explained that Australia Zoo did not want to see Old Faithful live out his days on a crocodile farm.  

‘[So] we brought him to Australia Zoo to give the big guy a forever home,’ it read.

‘We know Steve would be over the moon that we could have him here, in the sanctuary that he built, safe and sound to live out the rest of his days!’

On Tuesday, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that Old Faithful had been removed from his home in Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park after exhibiting ‘dangerous behaviour towards humans’ in July.

It was captured and removed by wildlife officers from the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) in September.

According to reports from the DETSI, tourists had been known to feed Old Faithful, which can lead to dangerous behaviour.

Meanwhile, traditional owners at Rinyirru (Lakefield) say they were not consulted over the removal of the creature.

‘Old Faithful is a totemic animal for the Kuku Warra Aboriginal people and some family members have very strong and cultural connections to Old Faithful,’ Rinyirru (Lakefield) Aboriginal Corporation chair Alwyn Lyall told SBS.

A spokesperson from DETSI told the SMH that traditional owners were contacted and a number of options were considered before Australia Zoo was ‘suitable’.

Meanwhile, conservationists, Community Representation of Crocodiles (CROCS), have protested Old Faithful’s rehoming with the Irwins.

But the move appears to have met with a positive response on social media, with many fans throwing their support behind Australia Zoo.

‘Steve would be proud, that’s amazing,’ messaged one fan on the post announcing the news.

Added another: ‘I am so grateful that Old Faithful is safe and sound at Australia Zoo. My heart beams hearing Steve’s voice.’ 

‘Steve would be proud to see how you guys are carrying on his legacy,’ said another fan.

‘I always watched Steve growing up and even became my role model, and he’s part of the reason why I’m focusing my career to help wildlife.’

Steve Irwin became a global household name thanks to his wildly popular series The Crocodile Hunter, Croc Files, and The Crocodile Hunter Diaries. 

Fans were shocked when he died at age 44, at the peak of his career in 2006, after being pierced in the chest by a short-tail stingray barb while filming in the Great Barrier Reef with Philippe Cousteau Jr.

Terri, 61, later took over Australia Zoo, established by Steve’s parents in 1970, as the Beerwah Reptile Park.

Their daughter Bindi, 27, is CEO, while their son, Robert Irwin, 21, is also involved in its operations.