This article is about the Australian wildlife expert and television personality. For other people with the same name, seeSteve Irwin (disambiguation).For the flagship of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, seeMYSteve Irwin.
Irwin grew up around crocodiles and other types of reptiles and was educated regarding them by his father,Bob. He achieved international fame in the late 1990s from the television seriesThe Crocodile Hunter, an internationally broadcast wildlife documentary series that he co-hosted with his wife,Terri. The couple also hosted the seriesCroc Files,The Crocodile Hunter Diaries, andNew Breed Vets. They also co-owned and operatedAustralia Zoo, founded by Steve's parents inBeerwah, Queensland. They had two children,Bindi andRobert.
Stephen Robert Irwin was born on 22 February 1962 to Lyn (d. 2000) andBob Irwin (b. 1939) inUpper Ferntree Gully, a suburb ofMelbourne.[1][2] His parents were both of Irish descent. His great-grandfather on his father's side, Joseph Irwin, a carpenter born inDublin, immigrated to Australia in 1876, where he married Theresa Byrne, who was also from Dublin.[3] Lyn was a maternity nurse and Bob is a former plumber and amateurherpetologist who collected reptiles.[4] Irwin developed an early interest in reptiles, particularly venomous snakes and lizards, often collecting them despite his father's advice. On one occasion, he reportedly brought ared-bellied black snake home on a public bus, transporting it in the driver'sesky.[5]
He moved with his parents as a child to theSunshine Coast, Queensland in 1970, where he attended Landsborough State School and Caloundra State High School.[6] Irwin described his father as a wildlife expert interested inherpetology, while his mother Lyn was awildlife rehabilitator. After moving to Queensland, Bob and Lyn Irwin started the small Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, where Steve grew up aroundcrocodiles and other reptiles.[citation needed]
Irwin became involved with the park in a number of ways, including taking part in daily animal feeding, as well as care and maintenance activities. On his sixth birthday, he was given a 12-foot (4 m)scrub python. He began handling crocodiles at the age of nine after his father had educated him on reptiles from an early age.[7] Also at age nine, he wrestled his first crocodile, again under his father's supervision.[8] He worked as a volunteer for Queensland's East Coast Crocodile Management program and captured over 100 crocodiles, some of which were relocated, while others were housed at the family park.[9] Irwin took over the management of the park in 1991[9] and renamed itAustralia Zoo in 1998.[10][11]
Steve and his wifeTerri spent their honeymoon trapping crocodiles together. Film footage of their honeymoon, taken byJohn Stainton, became the first episode ofThe Crocodile Hunter. The series debuted on Australian TV screens in 1996 and made its way onto North American television the following year.The Crocodile Hunter became successful in the United States, the UK,[12] and over 130 other countries, reaching 500 million people. Irwin's exuberant and enthusiastic presenting style, broadAustralian accent, signaturekhaki shorts, andcatchphrase 'Crikey!' became known internationally.[13] SirDavid Attenborough praised Irwin for introducing many to the natural world, saying "He taught them how wonderful and exciting it was. He was a born communicator".[14]
American satellite and cable television channelAnimal Planet endedThe Crocodile Hunter with a series finale titled 'Steve's Last Adventure'. The lastCrocodile Hunter documentary spanned three hours with footage of Irwin's across-the-world adventure in locations including theHimalayas, theYangtze River,Borneo, and theKruger National Park.
AfterThe Crocodile Hunter, Irwin went on to star in other Animal Planet documentaries, includingCroc Files,[15]The Crocodile Hunter Diaries[16] andNew Breed Vets.[17] Animal Planet also created the annualCroc Week marathon, which lasted a full week in the middle of June, every year from 2000 to 2007.[18][19][20] During a January 2006 interview onThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Irwin announced thatDiscovery Kids would be developing a show for his daughter,Bindi Sue Irwin[21] – a plan realised after his death as the seriesBindi the Jungle Girl.[22]
Other television and film work
Irwin in 2000
In 1998, Irwin continued his television career, working with directorMark Strickson to presentThe Ten Deadliest Snakes in the World.[23] He appeared on several episodes ofThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno.[24][25] A 2000FedEx commercial with Irwin lightheartedly dealt with the possibility of occupational death from snakebite and the fanciful notion that FedEx would have saved him, if only FedEx were used.[26]
Under Irwin's leadership, the operations grew to include the zoo, the television series, the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation (later renamedWildlife Warriors), and the International Crocodile Rescue. Improvements to the Australia Zoo include the Animal Planet Crocoseum, the rainforest aviary and Tiger Temple. Irwin mentioned that he was considering opening an Australia Zoo inLas Vegas, Nevada, and possibly at other sites around the world.[27]
In 2001, Irwin appeared in acameo role in theEddie Murphy filmDr. Dolittle 2, in which an alligator warns Dolittle that he knows Irwin is going to grab him and is prepared to attack when he does, but Dolittle fails to warn Irwin in time. Irwin's only starring feature film role was in 2002'sThe Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, which was released to mixed reviews. In the film, Irwin (who portrayed himself and performed numerous stunts) mistakes someCIA agents for poachers. He sets out to stop them from capturing a crocodile, which, unknown to him, has actually swallowed atracking transmitter. The film won the Best Family Feature Film award for a comedy film at theYoung Artist Awards. The film was produced on a budget of about US$12 million, and has grossed $33 million.[28] To promote the film, Irwin was featured in an animated short produced byAnimax Entertainment for Intermix.[29]
In 2002, Irwin and his family appeared in theWiggles video/DVD releaseWiggly Safari, which was set in Australia Zoo and featured singing and dancing inspired by Australian wildlife.[30] Irwin fronted an advertising campaign forThe Ghan in 2003, a passenger train operating betweenAdelaide,Alice Springs, andDarwin.[31] APacific NationalNR class locomotive was namedSteve Irwin as part of the campaign.
Irwin was a passionateconservationist and believed in promotingenvironmentalism by sharing his excitement about the natural world rather than preaching to people. He was concerned with conservation ofendangered animals andland clearing leading to loss of habitat. He considered conservation to be the most important part of his work: 'I consider myself a wildlife warrior. My mission is to save the world's endangered species'.[32] Irwin bought 'large tracts of land' inAustralia,Vanuatu,Fiji, and theUnited States, which he described as 'likenational parks' and stressed the importance of people realising that they could each make a difference.[33]
Irwin founded the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation, which became an independentcharity and was later renamed 'Wildlife Warriors Worldwide'.[34] He also helped found International Crocodile Rescue,[35] the Lyn Irwin Memorial Fund (named in memory of his mother, who died in an automobile crash in 2000),[36] and the Iron Bark Station Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility.[37]
Irwin urged people to take part in considerate tourism and not support illegalpoaching through the purchase of items such as turtle shells orshark-fin soup.[38]
Sir David Attenborough was an inspiration to Irwin, according to his widow. When presenting aLifetime Achievement Award to Attenborough after Irwin's death at the BritishNational Television Awards on 31 October 2006, Terri Irwin said, 'If there's one person who directly inspired my husband it's the person being honoured tonight.... [Steve's] real, true love was conservation – and the influence of tonight's recipient in preserving the natural world has been immense'.[39] Attenborough reciprocated by praising Irwin for introducing many to the natural world, saying, 'He taught them how wonderful and exciting it was[;] he was a born communicator'.[14]
He was an avid cricket fan. This was seen during his visit toSri Lanka where he played cricket with some local children and said 'I love cricket' and 'It's a shame we have to go catch some snakes now'. This was seen during theCrocodile Hunter episode 'Island of the Snakes'.[41]
Having lived in Queensland most of his life, Irwin was also a fan ofrugby league. As a teenager, he played for the Caloundra Sharks as a second-rower,[45] and as an adult he was known to be a passionateBrisbane Broncos fan and was involved with the club on several occasions. On one occasion after turning up to training he asked if he could tackle the largest player,Shane Webcke. Despite being thrown to the ground and looking like he'd been crushed he was jovial about the experience.
Irwin also supportedrugby union, being a fan of the national team, theWallabies. He once wore a Wallaby jersey during a demonstration at the zoo. A behind-the-scenes episode ofThe Crocodile Hunter showed Irwin and the crew finding a petrol station in a remote part ofNamibia to watch the Wallabies defeatFrance in the1999 Rugby World Cup Final.
Irwin was involved in several media campaigns. He enthusiastically joined with theAustralian Quarantine and Inspection Service to promote Australia's strictquarantine requirements, with advertisements and posters featuring slogans such as, 'Quarantine Matters! Don't muck with it'. His payments for these advertising campaigns were directed into his wildlife fund.[47]
In 2004, Irwin was appointed ambassador forThe Ghan, the passenger train running fromAdelaide toAlice Springs in the central Australian outback, when the line was extended all the way toDarwin on the northern coast that year. For some time he was sponsored byToyota.[48]
Irwin was a keen promoter for Australian tourism in general and Queensland tourism in particular. In 2002, the Australia Zoo was voted Queensland's top tourist attraction.[32] His immense popularity in the United States meant he often promoted Australia as a tourist destination there.[49] As a part of the United States' 'Australia Week' celebrations in January 2006, Irwin appeared atUCLA'sPauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California.[50]
Search and rescue in Mexico
In November 2003, Irwin was filming a documentary on sea lions off the coast ofBaja California Peninsula in Mexico when he heard via his boat's radio that twoscuba divers were reported missing in the area. Irwin and his entire crew suspended operations to aid in the search. His team's divers searched with the rescue divers, and Irwin used his vessel to patrol the waters around the island where the incident occurred, as well as using his satellite communications system to call in a rescue plane. On the second day of the search,kayakers found one of the divers, Scott Jones, perched on a narrow rock ledge jutting out from the side of a cliff. Irwin and a crew member escorted him to Irwin's boat. The other lost diver, Katie Vrooman, was found dead by a search plane later the same day not far from Jones' location.[51]
Irwin died on 4 September 2006, after being pierced in the chest by ashort-tail stingray barb while filming in theGreat Barrier Reef withPhilippe Cousteau Jr. The stinger penetrated histhoracic wall, causing massive trauma.[52][53] He was atBatt Reef, nearPort Douglas, Queensland, taking part in the production of the documentary seriesOcean's Deadliest. Irwin's death is believed to be the only fatality from a stingray captured on video.[54] His death was met with shock and grief by fans, the media, governments, and non-profit organisations.
A private funeral service took place on 9 September 2006.[55] Irwin was buried in a private ceremony atAustralia Zoo later that same day.[56] A public memorial service was held in Australia Zoo's 5,500-seat Crocoseum on 30 September 2006; this service was broadcast live and it is estimated to have been seen by over 300 million viewers.[57]
Flowers left in Irwin's memory the day after his death
Personal life
Marriage and family
In 1992, Irwin metTerri Raines, an American naturalist fromEugene, Oregon, who was visiting wildlife rehabilitation facilities in Australia and had decided to visit the zoo. According to the couple, it was love at first sight.[58] Terri said at the time, 'I thought there was no one like this anywhere in the world. He sounded like an environmental Tarzan, a larger-than-life superhero guy'.[59] They were engaged four months later and were married in Eugene on 4 June 1992. Together they had two children: a daughter,Bindi Sue Irwin (born 24 July 1998), and a son,Robert Clarence Irwin (born 1 December 2003).[60] Bindi Sue is jointly named after two of Steve Irwin's favourite animals: Bindi, asaltwater crocodile, and Sui, aStaffordshire Bull Terrier. Robert is named after Irwin's father Bob and Terri's father Clarence.
Irwin once described his daughter Bindi as 'the reason [he] was put on the Earth'. His wife once said, 'The only thing that could ever keep him away from the animals he loves are the people he loves even more'.[27] Although the Irwins were happily married, they did not wear wedding rings; they believed that in their line of work, wearing jewellery could pose a hazard to them or the animals.[61] Irwin frequently said that if he was to be remembered for anything, he hoped that it would be for being a good father.[1]
On 11 February 2000, Irwin's mother Lyn was killed in a car accident. In an online tribute, he called her 'the most beautiful, loving, nurturing, and caring person to have ever blessed this world'.[62]
Controversies
On 2 January 2004, Irwin carried his one-month-old son,Robert, in his arm while hand-feeding a chicken carcass to Murray, a 3.8-metre (12 ft 6 in) saltwater crocodile. The infant was close to the crocodile, and comparisons were made in the press toMichael Jackson dangling his son outside a German hotel window.[63] In addition, some child welfare groups,animal rights groups, and some of Irwin's television viewers criticised his actions as irresponsible and tantamount tochild abuse.[64] Irwin apologised on the US NBC showToday.[65] Both he and his wife publicly stated that Irwin was in complete control of the situation, as he had dealt with crocodiles since he was a small child, and based on his lifetime of experience neither he nor his son were in any danger. He also showed footage of the event shot from a different angle, demonstrating that they were much farther from the crocodile than they had appeared in the publicised clip.[66] Terri said their child was in no more danger than one being taught to swim. No charges were filed; according to one journalist, Irwin told officials he would not repeat the action.[67] The incident prompted theQueensland Government to change its crocodile-handling laws, banning children and untrained adults from entering crocodile enclosures.[68]
In June 2004, allegations were made that he disturbed wildlife (namely whales, seals and penguins) while filmingThe Crocodile Hunter episode "Ice Breaker" inAntarctica. The matter was subsequently closed without charges being laid.[69]
After questions arose in 2003 about Irwin being paid $175,000 worth of taxpayers' money to appear in a television advertisement and his possible political ties, Irwin told theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that he was a conservationist and did not choose sides in politics. His comments describing Australian Prime MinisterJohn Howard as the 'greatest leader in the world' earned him scorn in the media.[70]
In response to questions of Australia's problems withovergrazing,salinity, anderosion, Irwin responded: "Cows have been on our land for so long that Australia has evolved to handle those big animals".[71]The Sydney Morning Herald concluded with the opinion that his message was confusing and amounted to "eating roos and crocs is bad for tourism, and therefore more cruel than eating other animals".[71]
Legacy
Posthumous movie and television appearances
Irwin provided his voice for theanimated filmHappy Feet, as anelephant seal named Trev. The film was posthumously released in November 2006, and it was dedicated to Irwin, as he died during post-production two months prior.[72] Another, previously incomplete scene, featuring Irwin providing the voice of an albatross and essentially playing himself, was restored to the DVD release.[73]
In 2007, a special episode ofThe Crocodile Hunter was made in tribute to him;Crikey! What an Adventure: An Intimate Look at the Life of Steve Irwin. The documentary features archive footage fromThe Crocodile Hunter. Later that year, Bindi released the documentaryMy Daddy, the Crocodile Hunter in Irwin's memory. He appears in several episodes ofBindi the Jungle Girl via archive footage. Archive footage of him has also been used in the television seriesCrikey! It's the Irwins, which began airing in 2018.
Steve Irwin Day
Steve Irwin Day is an annual event celebrated atAustralia Zoo on 15 November, honouring the life and legacy of Irwin. The date was chosen because it takes place on the birthday of one of Irwin's favourite animals, atortoise from theGalápagos Islands.[74] Events that take place include people raising money forWildlife Warriors to help continue Irwin's conservation work,[75][76][77] and employees atAustralia Zoo wearing khaki uniforms in Irwin's memory.[75][77][78][79]
Honours
Steve Irwin Memorial, Mooloolaba, Queensland
In 1997, while on a fishing trip on the coast ofQueensland with his father, Irwin discovered a new species of turtle. HerpetologistJohn Cann named itIrwin's turtle (Elseya irwini) in honour of Steve Irwin.[80][81] Another newly discovered Australian animal – a species of air-breathingland snail,Crikey steveirwini, was named after Irwin in 2009.[82]
Irwin was awarded theCentenary Medal by the Australian government in 2001 for his 'service to global conservation and to Australian tourism'.[83] In 2004, he was recognised as Tourism Export of the Year.[84] He was also nominated in 2004 forAustralian of the Year but it was awarded to Australian cricket captainSteve Waugh,[85] while Irwin was named 2004 Queensland Australian of the Year.[86] Shortly before his death, Irwin was to be named an adjunct professor at theUniversity of Queensland's School of Integrative Biology. On 14 November 2007, Irwin was awarded the adjunct professorship posthumously.[87] In 2007, Irwin was posthumously inducted into theLogie Hall of Fame.[88]
In May 2007, the government ofRwanda announced that it would name a baby gorilla after Irwin as a tribute to his work in wildlife conservation.[89] Also in 2007, the state government ofKerala, India named the Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre atNeyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in his honour;[90] however, Terri objected that this action had been taken without her permission and asked the Kerala government in 2009 to stop using Irwin's name and images[91] – a request with which the state government complied in mid-2009.[92]
Irwin, after his death, was described by Mark Townend, CEO ofRSPCA Queensland, as a 'modern-dayNoah'.[93] British naturalistDavid Bellamy lauded his skills as anatural historian and media performer.[94] Canadian environmentalistDavid Suzuki paid tribute to Irwin, noting that '[h]umanity will not protect that which we fear or do not understand. Steve Irwin helped us understand those things that many people thought were a nuisance at best, a horror at worst. That made him a great educator and conservationist'.[95]
After his death, the vesselMV Robert Hunter owned by the environmental action groupSea Shepherd Conservation Society was renamedMY Steve Irwin.[96] Shortly before his death, Irwin had been investigating joining Sea Shepherd's 2007–2008 voyage to Antarctica to disrupt Japanese whaling activity. Following his death, the organisation suggested renaming their vessel, and this idea was endorsed by Terri.[97] Regarding the ship and its new name, Terri said, 'If Steve were alive, he'd be aboard with them!'[98]
Irwin was inducted in 2009 into theQueensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame, recognised for international entrepreneurship both in business and wildlife conservation, significantly contributing to Queensland and its international reputation[99] and in 2015, Irwin was a posthumous recipient of theQueensland Greats Awards.[100] In 2017 it was announced that Irwin would be posthumously honoured with a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.[101][102] The star was unveiled on 26 April 2018.[103] On 22 February 2019, the 57th anniversary of Irwin's birth, the search engine Google released aGoogle Doodle commemorating him, in the form of a slideshow.[104]
Within Australia
In the years after his death, Irwin's likeness, catchphrases, mannerisms, and contributions have made Steve Irwin synonymous with Australia among both citizens and foreigners. His likeness has been used by theQueensland Government to promote tourism in the state with them regarding Australia Zoo as one of the state's most iconic tourist destinations.[105] His sonRobert became a spokesperson for Queensland's tourism board in 2020.[106]
Glass House Mountains Road, which runs along the front of Australia Zoo, was also renamed Steve Irwin Way by the Queensland Government as a tribute to Irwin. The renaming was announced three weeks after Irwin's death.[107]
In 2022, following the death ofQueen Elizabeth II, some Australians voiced support for the nation'scurrency to feature Irwin instead ofKing Charles III, with two citizens filing separate petitions to gather support for the cause.[108] When asked by the press on the matter, prime ministerAnthony Albanese declined to take a position, offering that it wasn't the right time to discuss who would be on the currency in the immediate wake of the Queen's death.[109]
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^"Reptile Romance".Who Magazine. 2 November 2002. Archived fromthe original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved4 September 2006.
^"Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin's Son Feeds Alligators".ABC News (American Broadcasting Company). 11 April 2012.Archived from the original on 11 April 2012.The 8-year-old son of famed wildlife expert Steve Irwin was seen feeding baby alligators at the Irwin family's Australia zoo, following in the footsteps of his crocodile hunter dad.
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^Schembri, Jim (15 January 2004)."TV's mixed messages".The Age. Australia.Archived from the original on 13 November 2007. Retrieved31 January 2007.
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^"Elseya irwini".Australian Faunal Directory. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Commonwealth of Australia.Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved4 September 2006.
^Stanisic J. (24 August) 2009.Crikey steveirwini gen. et sp. nov. from montane habitats in the Wet Tropics of northeastern Queensland, Australia (Gastropoda: Eupulmonata: Camaenidae).Zootaxa 2206: 62–68.abstractArchived 27 November 2009 at theWayback Machine
^"Croc Hunter becomes a professor". ABC News. 8 November 2007. Archived fromthe original on 11 January 2008. Retrieved14 April 2012.The Crocodile Hunter had been named an adjunct professor at the University of Queensland shortly before his death.... 'This presentation now gives us the opportunity to publicly recognise his remarkable contribution to research and conservation.'
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