TERRI IRWIN - IRWINS TO CONTINUE WILDLIFE WORK

IRWINS TO CONTINUE WILDLIFE WORK

LATEST: TERRI IRWIN is determined to return to the stage at Australia Zoo by Christmas (DEC06) to carry on the work of her husband, Crocodile Hunter STEVE IRWIN. Steve was killed when a stingray barb pierced his heart in a freak accident off the Queensland, Australia coast on 4 September (06). Zoo Director WES MANNION says although the family is still in mourning, they plan to continue Irwin's vision. He says, "Come Christmas, both me and Terri will be getting in the Crocoseum and doing the shows. We have to do that because if we didn't Steve would be quite upset about that, I'm sure." Mannion said it was up to the couple's eight-year-old daughter BINDI to decide when she would resume her own performances at the zoo saying, "She's her own little girl and she makes her own decisions up to a point." Mannion said visitors were still flocking to the zoo, which is keeping Irwin's pictures on its billboards on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, despite it missing its star attraction. He adds, "I've just been amazed at just how great everyone has been that's been coming to the zoo. "They're really embracing the man that he was, even though he's no longer here in person, just here in spirit."