Crocodile hunter zoo in tax probe

Canberra: Australian tax officials are probing an offshore scheme of the late “Crocodile Hunter'' Steve Irwin and his wife Terri.

The investigation involves their Australia Zoo wildlife business, where the khaki-clad Irwin got up close with crocodiles and other wildlife at the 5,000-seat "Crocoseum".

According to an Australian newspaper, the scheme allowed the zoo to claim large tax breaks by paying more than A$600,000 a year (Dh 2 million) in fees to a Singapore-based company.

A zoo official said there had been no wrong-doing and the zoo had fallen victim to a "highly sophisticated case of deception".

The zoo is currently being sued by a collection company over unpaid debts after the Irwins signed off on the tax scheme in 2005, before the star's death.