BOB Irwin, father of Crocodile Hunter Steve, has snubbed his daughter-in-law Terri and quit Australia Zoo, vowing to keep his son's dream alive elsewhere.
In a heartfelt resignation letter, Mr Irwin has told of his difficult decision to leave the conservation and tourism operation he helped build over 36 years.
His departure follows claims by zoo staff and volunteers of a feud with Terri Irwin over treatment of staff, management of Wildlife Warriors and the commercial direction of the world-famous attraction.
Mr Irwin provided his statement exclusively to the Sunday Herald Sun yesterday, angry that zoo management had refused to make it public on Friday, instead sending out words "that were not his".
In the 300-word letter, he talks about his desire to continue "Steve's dream" at a new property he has bought near Kingaroy, 209km northwest of Brisbane.
He thanks zoo staff, Animal Hospital workers, Wildlife Warriors and "all Steve's friends out there", but makes no reference to Terri or her contribution to his son's conservation empire or to the raising of Mr Irwin's grandchildren Bindi and Bob.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23304023-662,00.html
