A lot of people might be wondering who owns Australia Zoo? The answer is not as simple as it seems. There are four main shareholders in the company: Dr. Birgit Anthony, Steve Marshall, John Stainton and Terri Irwin.
Dr. Birgit Anthony – 33%
Steve Marshall – 33%
John Stainton – 33%
Terri Irwin – 16%
Who Owns Australia Zoo?
People might be wondering who owns Australia Zoo. Well, there are four shareholders in the company: Dr. Birgit Anthony, Steve Marshall, John Stainton and Terri Irwin.
Dr. Birgit Anthony is a long-time friend of Terri Irwin and has been a shareholder since the 1980s. Steve Marshall is a 33% shareholder and was responsible for most of the day-to-day management of Australia Zoo until his death in 1998. John Stainton is also a 33% shareholder and was responsible for co-managing Australia Zoo with Steve Marshall until his death in 1998. Terri Irwin is the 16% shareholder and manages the day to day operations of Australia Zoo along with her husband, Bob Irwin.
The Shareholders and Their Role
Birgit Anthony is a doctor and she has been involved with Australia Zoo since the very beginning. Her share of the company makes up 33 percent. Steve Marshall, Terri’s husband, is also a doctor and he has been involved with the zoo since before it opened to the public in 1990. His share of the company makes up 33 percent as well. John Stainton is an American film producer who discovered Irwin’s talent for communicating with animals and convinced him to start filming his work at Australia Zoo for a TV show that would eventually become “The Crocodile Hunter.” Stainton owns 33 percent of Australia Zoo. Terri Irwin, Steve’s wife, became involved in Australia Zoo after her husband was killed by a stingray in 2006. She now owns 16 percent of the company and serves as CEO.
There are four shareholders in this business but each one has different responsibilities and different percentages of ownership. Some shareholders might have more say than others depending on their level of involvement, but there will always be four shareholders because that is how many people own Australia Zoo.
Birgit Anthony
Dr. Birgit Anthony is a German-born zoologist, conservationist and philanthropist. She has been involved in animal welfare for 60 years, with her first job being at the Berlin Zoo. Dr. Anthony came to Australia in 1961 to start up the Taronga Conservation Society and became its Director and Chief Executive Officer for more than 19 years.
She is also the founder of the world’s first wildlife hospital and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Monash University in recognition of her outstanding achievements in zoology and conservation.
Steve Marshall
is the Current CEO
Dr. Birgit Anthony – 33%
Steve Marshall – 33%
John Stainton – 33%
Terri Irwin – 16%
John Stainton
John Stainton is the co-founder of Australia Zoo. After graduating from high school, he travelled to Kenya and worked as a safari driver for a year. After that, he went to Colorado State University and graduated with a degree in wildlife biology.
In 1973, John returned to Australia and purchased his first piece of property which became the original Australia Zoo. Along with his wife, Joy, they turned it into one of the most successful attractions in Queensland. Today he still owns 33% of the company’s shares.
Terri Irwin
Terri Irwin is the daughter of animal conservationist, Steve Irwin. Terri took over her father’s company when he passed in 2006.
She has served as the president and CEO since 2006 and also owns 16% of the company.
Steven Irwin (Terri’s father) started Australia Zoo in 1970 with his parents. They moved to Queensland, Australia when he was just 20 years old, finding it to be a beautiful place to live and work.