Terri Irwin is facing a court battle over an alleged UKP1.2 million debt.
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The 43-year-old widow of the late Steve Irwin lost a bid to have the case against her Australia Zoo moved from Victoria to Queensland, where it is based, and now faces a tough fight to save the business.
The zoo is being pursued by debt collectors Alyssa Treasury Services, which took over debts allegedly owed to a number of overseas companies and banks. The company claims Terri and the Australia Zoo, opened by Steve’s father Bob in 1970, failed to honour a business agreement regarding the repayment of the debt.
The court case is expected to take place in October.
When the legal action first emerged last year, Terri denied being “knowingly involved” in any illegal activity. John Stainton, the zoo’s manager, added that he had “no b****y idea” what the lawsuits were about.
Earlier this week, Bob Irwin resigned from Australia Zoo and revealed he plans to set up a rival business in Queensland on a 242-acre site. He said: “You can rest assured that I will continue Steve’s dream with the passion and commitment he would expect.”
Steve died in 2006 when he was fatally pierced in the chest by a stingray while snorkelling off Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. He and Terri have two children together – Bindi, nine and four-year-old Bob.
