FORTIETH birthday celebrations are in full swing at Australia Zoo but with one glaring omission. Founder Bob Irwin, 70, father of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, has not been mentioned as part of the zoo's history.
Fortieth birthday promotional material mentions that the "opening of the Beerwah Reptile Park in 1970 on four acres was the start of what would eventually become Australia Zoo".
The release does not mention Bob by name, nor does a second release, which refers only to the Irwin family.
The Australia Zoo website also mentions the "Irwin family" as its founders.
Celebrations began in April with a VIP breakfast that was not attended by Bob, who had just suffered a heart attack.
More celebrations are planned for Steve Irwin Day on November 15.
Steve and Terri Irwin took over the park in 1992 and built it into the internationally famous zoo it is today.
However, for the 22 years before that it belonged to Bob, who quit Australia Zoo in controversial circumstances in March 2008