Las Vegas may be home to Australia Zoo | Bundaberg Family Attractions | Things to do in Bundaberg

PLANS for an Australia Zoo tourism attraction in America have been reignited with talks between the zoo representatives and Las Vegas authorities.

Representatives from the Sunshine Coast zoo confirmed in a statement that they met with Las Vegas authorities last week to discuss plans for a second Australia Zoo.

Australia Zoo director Wes Mannion said there was no guarantee it would be in Las Vegas because there were a number of locations in the United States being considered.

The discussions followed previous talks with Steve Irwin in 2004.

"It would be the greatest marketing tool for Australian tourism on the face of the earth," Irwin said in 2004.

Two years later he died when a stingray barb pierced his chest while filming off Cairns.

Mr Mannion said it was Irwin's dream to bring conservation to the world stage and there was no better place to do this than in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas.

"This will enable Australia Zoo to educate millions of people on the importance of conservation and wildlife protection," Mr Mannion said.

"The benefits from this project will go toward our wildlife projects in Australia and around the world."

The new zoo - featuring Australian wildlife such as koalas and kangaroos - would reportedly cost $40 million to build.