Video! Watch Wes Talk About Jokes and CrocsWes' love affair with reptiles began in the dense jungles surrounding his family's home in Malaysia, where his father was stationed as a member of the Royal Australian Air Force. His back yard was the perfect spot to study and explore the rain forest, which was teeming with snakes, lizards and spiders.
In 1976, Wes and his family returned to Australia and eventually, in 1985, settled on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Wes' passion for reptiles continued throughout his childhood years and at age 15, he made his first visit to the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park (now known as Australia Zoo). By chance, he met his best mate, Steve Irwin.
Wes started full time at the Australia Zoo in 1988, working alongside Steve and gaining intimate knowledge of the care and management of wildlife, while pulling his mate out of some serious scrapes. By 1992, Wes was promoted to head reptile keeper and curator. Realizing the need to gain overseas experience, he temporarily left the zoo on a quest to gain important knowledge from other world-class zoological and veterinary facilities. Upon returning to Australia Zoo in 1995, Wes took up the position of manager.
Now a zoo director overseeing some 350 people, Wes is regarded as one of the most knowledgeable reptile experts in Australia.
