Father of "Croc Hunter" Irwin receives payout
CANBERRA (Reuters) - The father of late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin will receive a package worth more than A$1 million ($920,000) and a pension after cutting ties with his son's Australia Zoo, the wildlife park said on Thursday.
Australia media have reported an ongoing rift between Bob Irwin and Steve's American-born wife Terri over the future of Australia Zoo, and Terri Irwin's plans to turn it into a Disney-style theme park.
Bob Irwin, 68, started Australia Zoo in northern Queensland state 36 years ago, but in 2000 handed it over to his khaki-clad son, who shot to fame as the "Crocodile Hunter" and turned the zoo into a major tourist attraction.
Steve Irwin was killed in September 2006 when a stingray barb pierced his heart while he was filming a documentary. Terri Irwin and the couple's daughter Bindi have vowed to continue his work on conservation and crocodile research.
Under the agreement with the zoo, Bob Irwin will receive an annual pension of about A$100,000 a year, as well as a package worth more than A$1 million, including a new home on a sprawling bush property.
"The package also includes infrastructure, a vehicle each (for Bob Irwin and his wife), a bulldozer and other equipment," Australia Zoo said in a statement.
Earlier this week, Bob Irwin told Australian Broadcasting Corporation television he had no assets and had spent a lifetime building up Australia zoo, but was walking away because he was becoming a disruptive influence.
He refused to comment on any rift with Terri Irwin, but said he decided to leave because management at the zoo no longer listened to his ideas.
"The problem I had was that the management and I didn't agree on certain aspects of Australia Zoo after Steve's passing," he said.
"Most times I went into Australia Zoo, I would have a difference of opinion with somebody or I may have an idea and it would not be listened to -- fairly minor things on their own but I felt it was just better for everybody concerned if I left Australia Zoo."
He plans to continue animal conservation work at his new property.
(Reporting by James Grubel)
