CONTINUING STEVE’S DREAM WILDLIFE WARRIORS STEVE HAD A VISION FOR CONSERVATION WHERE PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE COULD LIVE HARMONIOUSLY ALONGSIDE ONE ANOTHER.

TODAY, STEVE’S LEGACY LIVES ON THROUGH THE TIRELESS WORK OF WILDLIFE WARRIORS, THE IRWIN FAMILY AND AUSTRALIA ZOO.

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide Ltd was created by Steve and , as a way to include and involve caring people in the support and conservation of the world’s most threatened wildlife species and natural habitats. Since 2002, Wildlife Warriors from around the world have joined in a global wildlife force to continue their mission and protect injured and endangered wildlife – from the individual animal to an entire species.

The internationally recognised charity is registered in Australia as Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide and in the United States as Wildlife Warriors USA.

4 AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS Save one, save the species

CAMBODIAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION, CAMBODIA

SUMATRAN TIGER CONSERVATION KERINCI SEBLAT NATIONAL PARK, SUMATRA WILDLIFE IMAGES OREGON, USA CROCODILE RESEARCH CAPE YORK, AUSTRALIA RHINO CONSERVATION OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY, KENYA GREY NURSE SHARK CONSERVATION EAST COAST AUSTRALIA BLACK MAMBAS ANTI-POACHING UNIT BALULE NATIONAL PARK, AUSTRALIA ZOO RESCUE UNIT/ SOUTH AFRICA AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE HOSPITAL BEERWAH CHEETAH CONSERVATION CHEETAH OUTREACH, WHALE SHARK RESEARCH KOALA RESEARCH SOUTH AFRICA WESTERN AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA

Disappearing species

The International Union for VU VULNERABLE: High risk of endangerment in the wild. Conservation of Nature (IUCN) uses EN ENDANGERED: High risk of extinction in the wild. this scale to classify how threatened

certain animal species are. THREATENED CR CRITICALLY ENDANGERED: Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS 5 AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE HOSPITAL

Car accidents, domestic animal attacks and habitat destruction are devastating to Australia’s native species. As one of the world’s largest and busiest purpose-built wildlife hospitals, the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital works to provide thousands of animals each year with a second chance at life in the wild.

In memory of Steve’s mother, Lyn Irwin, a pioneer in wildlife care and rehabilitation, Steve and Terri renovated a small avocado packing shed into a functioning wildlife hospital. Four years later, in November 2008, a brand new state-of-the-art facility was opened to accommodate the increasing demand for wildlife treatment and care. It is equipped with a surgical theatre, intensive care units, pathology lab, X-ray room, and is staffed by a team of dedicated and experienced wildlife veterinarians and nurses. The emergency hospital operates 24/7 to provide specialised care to sick, injured and orphaned wildlife patients, at no cost to the public.

2004-2021 AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE HOSPITAL Most common animals admitted TOTAL ANIMALS AUSTRALIA ZOO ADMITTED AVIAN POSSUM/ REPTILE KOALA BAT GLIDER WILDLIFE HOSPITAL BEERWAH

The Queensland Government helps support the Australia 104,000 46% 13% 11% 10% 7% Zoo Wildlife Hospital.

6 AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS Source: Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital AUSTRALIA ZOO RESCUE UNIT The Australia Zoo Rescue Unit travels hundreds of kilometres each day to rescue wildlife in need. Working closely with the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, the mobile team acts as a wildlife ambulance, transporting sick, injured and orphaned native species reported within South East Queensland to the world-class wildlife facility. The specially trained team rescues everything from sea turtles and sea snakes in the ocean and on beaches to koalas and birds in the tallest of trees. The rescue team members climb trees, swim, kayak and patiently rescue sick and injured animals from risky positions so they can receive the medical treatment they need to survive in the wild. Through the funding of equipment and training, Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors provides the rescue team with the tools it needs to get animals to the wildlife hospital in a safe and stress-free way.

2018-2021 AUSTRALIA ZOO RESCUE UNIT Top reasons for rescue

WILDLIFE EMERGENCY KILOMETRES HIT BY AUSTRALIA ZOO DISEASED ORPHAN CALLS TRAVELLED A CAR PET ATTACK RESCUE UNIT BEERWAH

33,000+ 5million+ 31% 15% 13% 11% 3,106,844miles Source: Australia Zoo Rescue Unit AUSTRALIAAUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS WARRIORS 7 koala CONSERVAtION CONSERVATION KOALA Despite being one of Australia’s most iconic animals, the koala is under severe threat in the wild.Habitat destruction, road accidents, dog attacks and life-threatening diseases continue to devastate populations. The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital is working to provide koalas with a lifeline.

As Australia’s busiest koala hospital, treating up to eight hundred koalas from Queensland and northern New South Wales each year, the facility is at the forefront of koala research and conservation. In partnership with various universities, the dedicated

team of veterinary staff is working to develop advanced diagnostic and treatment strategies, as VU well as long-term solutions to chlamydiosis and retrovirus, diseases decimating koala populations.

VULNERABLE Through administering a vaccine to hand-raised orphans before their release, the team hopes to protect koalas from these deadly diseases so they can live long and healthy lives.

2004-2021 AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE HOSPITAL TOTAL Top reasons for koala admittance KOALAS ADMITTED DISEASE HIT BY CAR DOG ATTACK ORPHAN

KOALA CONSERVATION The Queensland AUSTRALIA Government helps support the Australia 10,000 42% 24% 8% 5% Zoo Wildlife Hospital.

8 AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS Source: Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital GREY NURSE SHARK

CONSERVATION The grey nurse shark is one of Australia’s most GREY NURSE SHARK endangered marine species with as few as 2,000

remaining in Australia’s east coast waters. Due to their CONSERVATION ENDANGERED fierce appearance the species was hunted almost to extinction in the 1950s, but today incidental capture by recreational and commercial fishing is the primary threat facing the population.

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors proudly support grey nurse shark research conducted by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, the University of Queensland and the University of the Sunshine Coast on the east coast of Australia. ’s purpose-built vessel, CR Croc One is used on ventures to discover more about

how they use key aggregation sites and to try and locate CRITICALLY unknown gestation aggregation sites. Through photo- identification studies, acoustic telemetry and satellite tracking, the team work to ensure their nurseries and critical habitats are recognised and protected, to ultimately reduce fishing activity–grey nurse shark interactions.

2019-2020 Grey nurse shark study on Australia’s east coast

ESTIMATED CRITICAL ESTIMATED POPULATION EAST- AGGREGATION BREEDING MONITORED REEF HABITAT COAST AUSTRALIA SITES FEMALES LOCATIONS SURVEYED

GREY NURSE SHARK CONSERVATION EAST-COAST AUSTRALIA

2 2,000 4 400 40/20 reefs 16,800m 10.5miles2 Source: Bansemer & Bennet, 2020 AUSTRALIAAUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS WARRIORS 9 © Robert ) of prime eucalypt ) of prime eucalypt 2 bushland on the Great Dividing Range. This land has undergone extensive reforestation and focuses on habitat preservation and care of marsupials, with particular on koalas. emphasis STATION, IRONBARK qUEENSLAND blackbutt Ironbark Station comprises 1,630 acres (2.54 miles ) 2 of one of the rarest habitat typesof one of the rarest in this arid region is home to an Australia, of unique wildlife, including the array endangered Queensland subspecies of woma python and the little known yakka skink. The Brigalow Belt is also the westernmost habitat for yet iconic, koala. the vulnerable, , mourachan st george qUEENSLAND With 117,174 acres (183 miles ) of habitat dedicated solely solely ) of habitat dedicated 2 roperties to conserving wildlife and wild places throughout Queensland. Conservation P Zoo Zoo and Australia Australia attained proudly have Wildlife Warriors 450,000 acres and now protect over (703miles AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS ZOO AUSTRALIA

CONSERVATION PROPERTIES 10 STEVE IRWIN WILDLIFE RESERVE OSRAIN PROPERTIES CONSERVATION The Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in far north Queensland is a protected haven of global importance, with a wealth of wildlife existing across its thirty-five diverse ecosystems.

In 2008, in recognition of Steve’s contribution to conservation, the Australian Government gifted the 333,000 acres (550 miles2) of wilderness to the Irwin family. Just days after the announcement, a mining company threatened to destroy it all, calling into action a leasehold over the most sensitive environmental area on the Reserve. No time was wasted; with the tenacity and strength that Terri Irwin is well known for, she immediately launched and led the campaign to not only prevent this from going ahead, but also to protect the Reserve in perpetuity. The Reserve is now a Strategic Environmental Area, affording the Reserve even more protection than the Great Barrier Reef.

Today, the Reserve hosts many research and conservation groups, with the aim to discover more about its unique fauna and flora, and to share the importance of conserving habitats for the future of its species.

2021 STEVE IRWIN WILDLIFE RESERVE Biodiversity of Species on the CAPE YORK, AUSTRALIA Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve DIFFERENT ECOSYSTEMS BIRDS FISH REPTILES AMPHIBIANS MAMMALS

35 170 48 47 21 20

AUSTRALIAAUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS WARRIORS 11 CROCODILE RESEARCH

RESEARCH CROCODILE Waterways across northern Australia are home to one of the most mysterious and misunderstood predators in the world, the saltwater or estuarine crocodile. In 1996, Steve Irwin began formal crocodilian research using the capture and study techniques he had developed to unlock the secrets of this ancient reptile.

Working in partnership, the University of Queensland, Australia Zoo and Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors continue to make monumental strides in the field using Steve’s techniques. An annual research trip focuses on capturing and tagging estuarine crocodiles in the Wenlock River which borders the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve. Since 2008, the team has fitted more VU than 200 crocodiles with acoustic tags, making it the longest and most comprehensive research project

VULNERABLE ever conducted on the species. The aim of the study is to provide insights into crocodile habits and their movements, to better understand how crocodiles and people can coexist. If we can keep people safe, we will also protect the crocodile.

2016-2021 Boss crocodiles in the Wenlock River 2021 CROCODILES GEORGE RYAN BIG DUNC DREW ULYSSES WITH TRACKING DEVICES Size: 15ft 3in Size: 15ft 3in Size: 15ft 1.5in Size: 14ft 7in Size: 14ft 3in (4.6m) (4.6m) (4.58m) (4.4m) (4.3m)

CROCODILE RESEARCH CAPE YORK, AUSTRALIA

214 2017 2020 2018 2018 2016

12 AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS Source: University of Queensland CAMBODIAN ELEPHANT

CONSERVATION CONSERVATION CAMBODIAN ELEPHANT

Habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching and human- elephant conflict are major issues pushing Asian elephants to the brink of extinction.

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors support the efforts to conserve Cambodia’s Asian elephant population in the Cardamom Mountains. One of only 20 sites globally, this location offers a viable area to sustain such a population in the long term. Through a partnership with Fauna and Flora International, a range of strategies have been developed ENDANGERED CRITICALLY to assist local communities in mitigating human-elephant conflict, deterring poaching and deforestation, as well as raising appreciation of elephants and their conservation CR needs. These strategies include creating safe boundaries between villages and elephant habitat by utilising bamboo and beehive fencing, deploying incident response teams with flashlights and noise-makers to deter crop-raiding elephants, as well as establishing education programs in elephant hotspots that would otherwise receive none. As a result, in the last two years there have been no elephants lost to poisoning or poaching in the areas the program operates.

2021 Asian Elephant Conservation in Cambodia

CAMBODIA’S EARLY ELEPHANT FARMERS ASIAN ELEPHANT EDUCATION HABITAT SUPPORTED POPULATION PROGRAMS SURVEYED

<600 73 1 1,562km2 603miles2

Source: Fauna and Flora International AUSTRALIAAUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS WARRIORS 13 CHEETAH CONSERVATION

CONSERVATION CHEETAH Despite their status as the fastest land mammal on earth, cheetahs are running out of time with as few as 7,100 remaining in the wild.

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors work in partnership with Cheetah Outreach to eliminate conflict between South Africa’s farmers and wild cheetah. Unfortunately, when a predator threatens a farmer’s livestock, they also threaten the farmer’s livelihood. Through Anatolian Livestock Guarding Dog Program, farmers are provided with a non- lethal solution to manage predators. Since inception in 2005, the program has placed more than 320 guardians dogs on

ENDANGERED farmlands. This has resulted in a vast reduction in livestock losses, consequently reducing cheetah-human conflict. EN Through covering the costs of placing the guardian dogs, as well as providing food and veterinary treatment for the first twelve months, more farmers can partake in the program and observe its success before taking on the care of the animal. In return, the farmers work with the team on the ground to report injured cheetah and help facilitate their care and conservation in the area.

2005-2021 1890-2021 Livestock Guarding Dog World cheetah population Program in South Africa

LIVESTOCK GUARDING PREDATOR-FRIENDLY DOGS PLACED FARMLAND 1890 1950 2000 2021

CHEETAH CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA 320+ 470,000ha 100,000 40,000 18,000 7,100 1814miles2 14 AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS Source: AWF and Cheetah Outreach T

RHINO CONSERVATION

Rhinos are under extreme threat due to illegal CONSERVATION RHINO poaching to source rhino horn.

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors proudly support rhino conservation in partnership with the largest black rhino sanctuary in east Africa, Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The 110,000 acre (171 miles2) conservancy works to safeguard and grow a population of over 100 critically endangered black rhinos, more than 30 southern white rhinos and the world’s last remaining two northern white rhinos. Through deploying armed anti-poaching patrols, a specially trained K-9 unit, and extensive surveillance

equipment, the conservancy is taking steps to ensure ENDANGERED CRITICALLY other species don’t succumb to the same fate as the northern white rhino. VUCR Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors support the Conservancy in strengthening these security measures and creating better living conditions for the team on the ground. Initiatives such as the construction of housing blocks around the Conservancy provide rangers with safe places to rest, improve response times in emergencies, and better equip the team for the demanding and dangerous job of protecting rhinos from poachers.

2021 Rhino Conservation in Ol Pejeta Conservancy

WILDLIFE ARMED PROTECTED K-9 UNIT INFRA-RED RANGER PROTECTION GUARDS AREA CAMERAS HOUSING SQUADS BLOCKS RHINO CONSERVATION OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY, KENYA

2 43 110,000ac 18 10 20 171miles2 Source: Ol Pejeta Conservancy 2021 AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS 15 SUMATRAN TIGER

CONSERVATION CONSERVATION In the last sixty years, the world has lost three SUMATRAN TIGER sub-species of tiger; the Balinese, Caspian and Javanese tigers. With continuous habitat destruction, poaching and prey depletion, the Sumatran tiger could be next in line with fewer than 350 now remaining in the wild.

Working in partnership with Fauna and Flora International, Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors supports one of five national parks in Asia where tiger numbers are increasing, Sumatra’s Kerinci Seblat National Park. ENDANGERED CRITICALLY The program’s success is attributed to the tireless work of the Tiger Protection and Conservation Units (TPCUs) CR and the engagement of the local community. The TPCUs conduct forest patrols to disable snares, perform wildlife rescues and execute law enforcement actions against wildlife criminals. The establishment of community- managed park-edge forests and information networks has helped create a buffer zone of more than 40,000 hectares (62.5 miles2) surrounding the national park to protect critical tiger habitat, as well as assisted in collecting evidence for investigations that have led to the arrests of prominent wildlife criminals.

2005-2021 Sumatran Tiger Protection in Kerinci Seblat National Park SUMATRAN TIGER RANGERS FOREST CONDUCTED DISABLED TIGER LAW ARRESTS AND CONSERVATION PATROL AREA FOOT PATROLS SNARES ENFORCEMENT PROSECUTIONS KERINCI SEBLAT ACTIONS NATIONAL PARK SUMATRA

50 1.53m ha 2,340 1,228 44 71 5907miles2 16 AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS Source: Fauna and Flora International 2021 WHALE SHARK RESEARCH RESEARCH Reaching up to 65 feet (20 metres) in length and weighing over 22 U.S. tons (20 tonnes), the whale shark is the world’s largest fish. Having originated about 60 million years ago, these gentle giants have roamed the sea for eons, but today, their numbers are on the decline, as is the overall health of our oceans. Whale WHALE SHARK sharks, even with their extraordinary size, are no match for human-related activities. Habitat loss and degradation in the form of overfishing of reef fish, coastal development, land-based pollution and boat traffic pose the most significant threats to their survival. Additionally, the demand for their meat, fins and oil on international markets continues to see individuals ruthlessly taken from the wild. ENDANGERED Little is known about the whale shark’s biology and distribution. With our support, ECOCEAN in Western Australia is conducting EN scientific research into whale shark populations, their migratory and breeding behaviours as well as the impact of tourism and other industries on their future. With every whale shark having a unique pattern of spots and stripes on their skin, researchers can identify different whale sharks with the right photograph. By collecting and sorting images from scientists and the general public - citizen scientists - ECOCEAN has created the largest monitoring program of the species in the world! Artificial intelligence pattern recognition then provides essential answers to better inform policy aimed at ensuring the long-term conservation of the whale shark. © James Suter

2021 Whale shark research

INDIVIDUALS PHOTOS IN POPULATION WHALE SHARKS IDENTIFIED LIBRARY DECLINE TAGGED

WHALE SHARK RESEARCH WESTERN AUSTRALIA 12,357 76,000 71% 8,100+

Sources: ECOCEAN 2021 AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS 17 WILDLIFE IN OREGON Terri grew up in Eugene and at age 20, had created her own wildlife rehabilitation organization, Cougar Country. Specialising in rehabilitating and releasing predatory mammals, Terri dedicated her time to preserving the WILDLIFE IN OREGON wildlife of Oregon. It wasn’t long before Terri met the like- minded folks at Wildlife Images, a charity that focuses on conservation through education, and treating sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. When Terri met Steve and moved to Australia, it was Wildlife Images that took in Terri’s cougar, Malina. The Irwin family have been long-time supporters of Wildlife Images, and we were very excited to officially welcome them into the Wildlife Warriors family.

The wildlife hospital located at Wildlife Images treats around 1,000 animals each year. Taking in anything from owls to squirrels, skunks and cougars. Treating these animals is a costly exercise, and we’re proud to be contributing to the treatment and conservation of North American species by supporting Wildlife Images.

© Robert Irwin

2020-2021 Wildlife Images hospital admissions per year

TOTAL ANIMALS BIRDS MAMMALS SCHOOL FIELD ADMITTED / RAPTORS WILDLIFE IMAGES TRIPS OREGON, USA

1,200+ 50% 50% 5,000

18 AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS Source: Wildlife Images 2021 T

BLACK MAMBAS ANTI-POACHING UNIT The Black Mambas, South Africa’s first female anti-poaching unit,

is fighting to win the war on poaching, not with guns and bullets, MAMBASBLACK ANTI-POACHING UNIT but with social upliftment and education. Inside the Balule Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa, a team of army-trained women guard the frontline. Having grown up alongside Africa’s iconic animals - rhinos, elephants, lions and much more - they’ve seen firsthand the destruction caused by poaching. Utterly heartbroken and highly concerned for their children’s future, these women - first mothers, then rangers and now leaders in the community - strive for peace.

With our support, the Black Mambas work to create a powerful presence in the reserve and neighbouring villages. By closely monitoring over 150,000 acres (234 miles2) of habitat, they’re able to make the area as undesirable and unprofitable for poaching as possible. Their peaceful tactics have helped to reduce the incidents of snaring and poaching by up to eighty percent. What’s more, in an effort to completely eliminate violence in these areas, they do this all unarmed. Whilst their main objective is security and protection of the reserve and its wildlife, they have also established vital education programs that help bring the community closer together to celebrate the power of knowledge and instil a proud, empathetic and patriotic attitude towards wildlife and the environment. © James Suter

2021 Black Mambas Anti-poaching Unit achievements

REDUCTION BUSH BABIES BUSH BABIES TOTAL ENVIRONMENTAL HABITAT IN SNARING/ PROGRAM PROGRAM RANGERS MONITORS MONITORED POACHING SCHOOLS KIDS

BLACK MAMBAS ANTI-POACHING UNIT BALULE NATURE RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA 50 7 150,000ac 80% 10 1,300 234miles2

Sources: Black Mambas Anti-poaching Unit 2021 AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS 19 YOU CAN HELP US KEEP STEVE’S DREAM ALIVE

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide invites you to make a difference in wildlife conservation, habitat preservation and the protection of the environment by supporting the work started by Steve and Terri Irwin. We seek sponsors and partners whose values align with our mission and who can help us implement our global wildlife conservation programs. “It is so important for us to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, as Wildlife Warriors, protecting our incredible wildlife and wild places for future generations. I invite you to join us as a partner and continue Steve’s dream.” TERRI IRWIN Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Wildlife Warriors USA For more information about PO Box 29 Po Box 11347 Beerwah, Qld, Australia 4519 Eugene, OR 97440 becoming a partner or donor, P +61 7 5436 2026 P +1 541 687 4788 please contact a member E [email protected] E [email protected] of our team. wildlifewarriors.org.au wildlifewarriors.org 6784