Irwin, Steve (1962-2006), was an Australian wildlife expert, naturalist, conservationist, and enthusiastic television personality whose nickname was the “Crocodile Hunter.” He was the host of a number of popular TV series about wild animals. These series have aired in more than 150 countries on Animal Planet and other TV networks owned by Discovery Communications Inc., an American media company. On his TV shows, Irwin handled crocodiles, venomous snakes, and other dangerous animals with his bare hands. He was known for the trademark exclamation “Crikey!”
Irwin was also the director of the Australia Zoo in Beerwah, a Queensland town about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Brisbane. He was an active educator and promoter of wildlife conservation and Australian tourism.
Stephen Robert Irwin was born on Feb. 22, 1962, in Essendon, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. He caught his first venomous snake at the age of 6. At age 9, he helped catch small problem crocodiles that were found hanging around boat ramps. His parents were naturalists who founded the Beerwah Reptile and Fauna Park in 1970. Irwin grew up feeding and caring for the animals in the park, including many dangerous species of snakes. His parents also cared for a wide variety of injured and adopted animals at the park and in their home. During the 1980’s, Irwin lived in remote areas of eastern Australia catching crocodiles and saving them from poachers. In 1991, he took over the park. He renamed it the Australia Zoo in 1998.
Irwin met American-born conservationist Terri Raines while doing a show at the park in 1991. In 1992, the two married and went crocodile trapping on their honeymoon. Film footage taken during this trip became the basis for a TV documentary called “The Crocodile Hunter.” A TV series of the same name was launched in 1996. Both Steve and Terri Irwin appeared on nearly every show. The series documented their efforts to humanely capture and relocate crocodiles away from populated places. It became popular worldwide and later inspired a number of spin-off TV series, including “Croc Files,” “The Crocodile Hunter Diaries,” and “New Breed Vets.” The Irwins also starred as themselves in a comedy-adventure film called The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course (2002).
Steve and Terri had their first child, Bindi, in 1998. Bindi means “young girl” in the language of Aboriginal peoples of Australia, and it was the name of one of Steve’s favorite crocodiles. In 2002, Steve and Terri established a conservation charity, Wildlife Warriors Worldwide, which includes a wildlife hospital. In 2003, their second child, Robert, was born.
Steve Irwin was killed on Sept. 4, 2006, by a stingray in the Great Barrier Reef. He and a crew were filming for a new show near Port Douglas, a Queensland coastal town north of Cairns. A barb from the stingray penetrated his chest while he was snorkeling above the normally tranquil animal.
Since Steve Irwin’s death, his legacy has lived on. The Australia Zoo, which started with just 4 acres (1.6 hectares), is now thriving with about 1,500 acres (607 hectares). Irwin also created many wildlife sanctuaries, including a 2,000-acre (800-hectare) koala sanctuary in Queensland. Throughout his life, he donated most of his earnings to support conservation. Steve Irwin Day is celebrated on November 15. Both Bindi and Robert Irwin are active in wildlife conservation efforts.
