How ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin’s Legacy Lives On

One of the greatest wildlife and conservation legacies of our time is none other than Australian native, Steve Irwin. Steve skyrocketed to stardom with his television series, “The Crocodile Hunter,” which he filmed for 11 years with his soulmate and partner in crime, Terri Irwin. 

But Steve and Terri had long been caring for and protecting wildlife before the television series made them household names. The two have been dedicated to conserving, rehabilitating and releasing animals back into the wild since the 1970s (crikey!). Clad usually in khaki, Steve and Terri have been effortlessly helping the world’s most fearsome beasts, showing the rest of the world the hearts behind the most exotic creatures in the world.

While Steve Irwin tragically died in 2006, his life’s work is carried on through Terri and their two children, Bindi and Robert. Together, the Irwins have left an indelible mark on the world, both through their wildlife conservation efforts and their genuine, warm and loving personalities. This is their story. 

Steve Irwin was born with wildlife in his blood. 

While he was born in 1962 in Melbourne, Australia, his childhood was spent on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, where he helped his parents at the Beerwah Reptile Park. 

The park was established in 1970 as a 2-acre wildlife park, founded by Bob and Lyn Irwin. 

It was here that Steve first began to understand the world of wildlife, in particular freshwater crocodiles, lace monitors, tiger snakes, magpie geese and kangaroos.

Steve’s compassion and gentleness toward animals can be learned from his mother, Lyn. In fact, Lyn took care of many kangaroos in homemade pouches. 

She was gifted when it came to rehabilitating wildlife, nursing injured and orphaned animals, and returning them back into the wild.

Steve was a natural with animals, demonstrating the same compassion that his mother showed, and with very little fear. 

In fact, he would go on field trips with his parents helping them to relocate problem crocodiles, studying snakes and helping the local university with surveys of birds.