Wes Mannion Biography
Wes Mannion is an Australian television personality best known as Steve Irwin’s best friend and the former director of Australia Zoo in the series The Crocodile Hunter.
How old is Wes Mannion? – Age
He is 52 years old as of September 2022. He was born in 1970 in Australia.
Wes Mannion Family
Mannion’s fascination with reptiles began in the Malaysian jungles, where his father was stationed as a member of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Is Wes Mannion Married? – Wife
From 2004 to 2012, he was married to Jodie Chapman. Jodie Chapman, Mannions’ ex-wife, works as the zoo’s records officer.
Wes Mannion Net Worth
He has an estimated net worth of $700,000.
Wes Mannin Accident
In 2001, Mannion was injured when a captive Australian saltwater crocodile named Graham bit him on the thigh. Irwin subdued the crocodile with a wooden “safety stick” (a safety device found in all crocodile enclosures), allowing Mannion to escape.
Wes Mannin Career
Mannion and Steve Irwin first met when Mannion and his parents visited Australia Zoo in the mid-1980s. He quickly became close to the Irwin family and was regarded as a younger brother. Mannion volunteered at the zoo for several months before being offered a paid position as a keeper. He and Irwin worked together at the zoo, learning about reptiles and animal husbandry before capturing and relocating wild crocodiles.
Mannion began working full-time at the Australia Zoo in 1988, alongside Steve, and gained in-depth knowledge of wildlife care and management. He was promoted to head reptile keeper and curator in 1992. Recognizing the need for international experience, he temporarily left the zoo to gain knowledge from other zoological and veterinary facilities around the world. Mannion returned to the zoo in 1995 as manager and was promoted to director in 2001; Mannions’ ex-wife Jodie Chapman is the zoo’s records officer.
During Irwin’s rising popularity with The Crocodile Hunter, Mannion frequently appeared on the show as Steve’s right hand and co-host in the event that Irwin’s wife Terri was unable to attend. When he wasn’t co-hosting, he was usually behind the scenes keeping the camera crew safe from animals.