Steve Irwin, also known as the Crocodile Hunter, was a beloved TV star and wildlife conservationist. He grew up with professional training in zoo management and animal care, and his live show piqued the interest of television executives. Irwin’s popularity was secured in the US and UK when documentaries of him started airing. He expanded Australia Zoo and worked on other documentaries. Irwin’s life was tragically cut short when he was stabbed in the heart by the tip of a stingray. He is survived by his wife Terri, daughter Bindi, and son Bob.
Steve Irwin (1962-2006), also known as the Crocodile Hunter, was a devoted naturalist and wildlife conservationist. The first documentary of him in 1992 made him a beloved TV star as well. Many of him enjoyed and were inspired by his larger than life Australian personality and his almost childlike enthusiasm and love for animals such as crocodiles and snakes.
Irwin was born in Melbourne, Australia to parents Bob and Lyn. His parents were both devoted to wildlife, particularly reptiles, and left Melbourne to start a small zoo in Queensland. Young Irwin grew up with professional training in zoo management, animal care, and even learned to catch crocodiles. At the age of nine, he caught his first croc with the help of his father.
When Irwin finished high school, he worked as a volunteer crocodile remover, sending his finds back to the Queensland Zoo. In 1991, he took over ownership of the zoo from his father, and the zoo was renamed Australia Zoo. Although there were still few visitors at the time, Irwin’s live show piqued the interest of television executives who thought a documentary it would be a hit on television. The documentary attracted interest and plans were made to give Irwin his own hour-long show.
In 1992, he married Terri Raines and the two filmed the first of the Crocodile Hunter shows while on their honeymoon. Irwin’s first show met with rave reviews when it aired on Australian television. In 1997, his popularity was secured in the US and UK when documentaries of him started airing.
Later shows such as Croc Files would become particularly popular with children. Both children and adults looked up to Irwin as a fearless hero and also a lovable character. He was known for using Australian terms, such as “Crikey” and “Mate,” which simply added to his popularity as a TV personality.
Irwin has expanded Australia Zoo and has also worked on other documentaries with Terri. His shows were thought to have greatly contributed to the popularity of the new Animal Planet channel. She also starred in a popular movie, The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course in 2002.
Some criticized Irwin’s deliberate flirtation with danger, saying such shock value might be good television, but it was not in line with the safety an animal show host should maintain. People were especially upset that he fed a crocodile at Australia Zoo while holding his infant son Bob.
The ‘baBob’ incident led to a slight decline in popularity, but Irwin’s constant work has kept Australia Zoo popular. He appeared on several talk shows to defend his decision, but he complied with laws later passed in Australia that banned small children from being around crocodiles.
Irwin went on to make documentaries for the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and the Travel Channel. She was working on developing a children’s show to be hosted by her ten-year-old daughter Bindi Sue when her life was tragically cut short. In a bizarre incident, he was stabbed in the heart by the tip of a stingray.
Many thought Irwin’s life could reasonably have been shortened by his dangerous occupation, but certainly no one predicted that his life would end with a stingray. These creatures are particularly gentle, and deaths from encounters with stingrays are extremely rare. Since his death was filmed, analysis of the attack shows that Irwin was in no way behaving inappropriately or riskily around the beam. The mourners are left to wonder why the man, who gave so much in his life to the earth and the creatures he loved, could have died this way.
Australian dignitaries offered Irwin a state funeral, but this was declined by the family. He is survived by his wife Terri, daughter Bindi and son Bob. Fans will miss him dearly and hope his legacy inspires others to greet the natural world with care and respect.
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