The Beatles, Lizzie and Cannibal Bill

Ringo Starr dubbing one of the creatures “Ringo the dingo”.

Mrs Thompson will reunit with old friends and supporters at today’s anniversary. Her brother Stephen is overseas and unable to attend.

Mr Fleay’s 65ha West Burleigh park became a major tourist attraction through the 1950s and 1960s as hundreds of native flora and fauna was preserved and cared for. His animal hospital cared for hundreds of sick creatures.

Mr Fleay sold the park to the State Government in 1982 to ensure its future and it was closed for redevelopment from 1983-1988. It reopened before he died in 1993.

Mrs Thompson said her father would be pleased to see the park still going strong nearly 25 years after death.

“I think he would be happy and I think it will be here in another 65 years, though I won’t be,” she said.

“Raising awareness of native wildlife and plants will be father’s greatest legacy because he was an amazing man who worked long and hard to make it a success.”

David Fleay (right) and keeper Mr Alf Wright outside Tropical House in Burleigh with a python in the 1940s. He established David Fleay’s Flora and Fauna Park in 1952.

In 1992 with an Alpine Dingo.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in Brisbane.

David Fleay releases a Wedgetail eagle.