Australia Zoo says it regrets have to sack 22 staff members amid “challenging” times for the business formerly run by Steve Irwin.

Former Australia Zoo staff, sacked in the wake of the Queensland floods last month, say the zoo appears to be on the brink of financial ruin.

'If things don't turn around, Australia Zoo will go down' ... Steve Irwin's tourist destination on the Sunshine Coast is in financial strife, former staffers say. Credit:Reuters

The former staffers took aim at the Sunshine Coast tourist attraction's management, saying the zoo has been crippled by poor planning and debt.

Twenty-two staff were sacked last month and dozens more had forced to take unpaid leave and job share, the former workers told New Idea magazine.