Terri Irwin has spoken about the challenges she has faced since taking over the Australia Zoo and various other conservation projects from her husband Steve following his death in 2006.

Australia Zoo was set up by Steve and Terri, with a large portion of profits going to beneficiaries in various projects across the world.

“When Steve died, I was scared,” said Terri. “Not only by the deep level of grief I was feeling, but also how I was going to cope with everything from a personal and business point of view.”

By the time Steve died, his TV series The Crocodile Hunter had 80 million viewers worldwide, with money made from the show being plowed back into Australia Zoo. At the time of his death, the media speculated that the Irwins had amassed a property portfolio estimated to be around AUD$20m (US$19m, £12.2m, €14.3m).

Before his death, Steve envisaged and put together a 10-year plan for wildlife conservation, which Terri has followed through. At the zoo, the plan was to complete the half-finished South-East Asia area and build a new African open-range safari attraction, including the acquisition of new wildlife, which has now been achieved.

Another part of Steve’s 10-year plan was to develop an animal attraction in Las Vegas, US, similar to Australia Zoo. So far Terri has the land options and the investors to go ahead with the project but is still in negotiation with various entities.

Despite the fact the zoo’s growth path has slowed, Terri has been able to hold on to all 80,000 acres of conservation properties she and Steve funded together.

“I run the company with the priorities of the animals first, staff second and visitors third,” said Terry. “If the animals need something, that comes before anything else. If things get tough we go on the skinny – we don’t can the project.

“Steve stood for so much. He always said he didn’t mind if he got remembered or not, just that his message did. We still use his pictures, he’s the embodiment of the ethics of the Irwin family and Australia Zoo.”

To read more from Terri Irwin a full interview is available in the Q3 2013 issue of Attractions Management Magazine.