Steve Irwin’s father Bob is reportedly set to enter into a heated battle with his daughter-in-law Terri as he fights to reclaim Australia Zoo.

The 83-year-old conservationist built the iconic Queensland zoo from the ground up in 1970 and passed it on to his late son Steve and his wife Terri in 1992.

Terri, 58, has stayed on as owner and operator of the world-famous attraction since Steve’s death in 2006 – but Bob is reportedly not happy about it.

‘Bob’s genuine passion for the environment and all creatures great and small has given him the courage to push Terri to hand back the keys,’ a source told New Idea.

The Australia Zoo founder is said to take issue with Terri apparently commercialising the wildlife park, thereby shifting its original focus.

Steve Irwin’s father Bob is reportedly set to enter into a heated battle with his daughter-in-law Terri as he fights to reclaim Australia Zoo. Pictured: Bob with his son Steve in 2005

‘The final straw for Bob was a recent announcement they were opening up the grounds for rock concerts, with Terri’s mate Russell Crowe and his band set to be one of the first rowdy gigs,’ they added. 

‘Bob finds it insulting that this conservation haven he was the brainchild of is now attracting thousands of partygoers – next thing you know they’ll be hosting Schoolies!’

Daily Mail Australia reached out to Australia Zoo for comment.

The 83-year-old conservationist created the iconic Queensland zoo from the ground up in 1970 and passed it on to his late son Steve and his wife Terri in 1992. Pictured: Bob with Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin in 2007

Steve Irwin died in September 2006 aged 44, after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming a wildlife documentary in Batt Reef, Queensland. 

Bob Irwin is said to be estranged from the Irwin family with Terri and her children Bindi, 24, and Robert – who was named after his grandad – refusing to speak to him.

Back in September, it was reported Bob was ‘devastated’ he had not yet met his great-granddaughter, who is the first child of his estranged granddaughter Bindi. 

Terri, 58, has stayed on as owner and operator of the world-famous attraction since Steve’s death in 2006 and Bob is said to not be happy about it

Bindi welcomed her daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell in March 2021, and she has not yet met her 83-year-old great-grandad, Woman’s Day claimed.   

‘He still talks about Steve and the kids, but it’s with sadness. I’m sure he’s devastated not to know his great-grandchild,’ an alleged insider told the magazine. 

The report goes on to claim that all photos of Bob have been stripped from the Irwin family home at Australia Zoo.

The magazine additionally claimed that Bob would like to make peace with Bindi, amid the pair’s public feud.

Bob Irwin is said to be estranged from the Irwin family and with Terri and her children Bindi, 24, and Robert – who was named after his grandad – refusing to speak to him 

Back in September, it was reported Bob Irwin was ‘devastated’ he had not met his great-granddaughter Grace, who is the first child of his estranged granddaughter Bindi. Bindi and Grace are pictured