Jump to content

Steve Irwin

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
Page protected with pending changes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Steve Irwin
Irwin in 2005
Born
Stephen Robert Irwin

(1962-02-22)22 February 1962
Died4 September 2006(2006-09-04) (aged 44)
Batt Reef, Queensland, Australia
Cause of deathStingray injury to the heart
Resting placeAustralia Zoo, Beerwah, Queensland
Occupations
Years active1991–2006
Spouse
(m. 1992)
Children
Parents
Websitewww.australiazoo.com.au
Signature

Stephen Robert Irwin (22 February 1962 – 4 September 2006), known as "The Crocodile Hunter", was an Australian zookeeper, conservationist, television personality, wildlife educator, and environmentalist.

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 series The Crocodile Hunter, an internationally broadcast wildlife documentary series that he co-hosted with his wife, Terri. The couple also hosted the series Croc Files, The Crocodile Hunter Diaries, and New Breed Vets. They also co-owned and operated Australia Zoo, founded by Steve's parents in Beerwah, Queensland. They had two children, Bindi and Robert.

In late 2006, Irwin died from an injury caused by a stingray while filming an underwater documentary in the Great Barrier Reef. His death became international news and was met with expressions of shock and grief by fans, the media, governments, and non-profit organizations. Numerous parks, zoos, streets, the vessel MY Steve Irwin, the snail species Crikey steveirwini, and the asteroid 57567 Crikey have been named in his honour. The Irwin family continues to operate Australia Zoo.

Early life

Stephen Robert Irwin was born on his mother's 20th birthday to Lynette "Lyn" Hakainsson (1942–2000) and Bob Irwin in Upper Ferntree Gully, a suburb of Melbourne.[1][2] His parents were both of English and Irish descent, with some Swedish on his mother's side.[3] His great-great-grandfather Joseph Irwin from Dublin settled in Tasmania, Australia in the 1870s.[4] He had two sisters named Joy and Mandy. He moved with his parents as a child to Queensland in 1970, where he attended Landsborough State School and Caloundra State High School.[5] Irwin described his father as a wildlife expert interested in herpetology, while his mother Lyn was a wildlife rehabilitator. After moving to Queensland, Bob and Lyn Irwin started the small Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, where Steve grew up around crocodiles and other reptiles.

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.[6] Also at age nine, he wrestled his first crocodile, again under his father's supervision.[7] 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.[8] Irwin took over the management of the park in 1991[8] and renamed it Australia Zoo in 1998.[9][10]

Career

Irwin and Terri with Wes Mannion, the other cast member of The Crocodile Hunter.

Steve and his wife Terri spent their honeymoon trapping crocodiles together. Film footage of their honeymoon, taken by John Stainton, became the first episode of The 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,[11] and over 130 other countries, reaching 500 million people. Irwin's exuberant and enthusiastic presenting style, broad Australian accent, signature khaki shorts, and catchphrase 'Crikey!' became known internationally.[12] Sir David 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".[13]

American satellite and cable television channel Animal Planet ended The Crocodile Hunter with a series finale titled 'Steve's Last Adventure'. The last Crocodile Hunter documentary spanned three hours with footage of Irwin's across-the-world adventure in locations including the Himalayas, the Yangtze River, Borneo, and the Kruger National Park.

After The Crocodile Hunter, Irwin went on to star in other Animal Planet documentaries, including Croc Files,[14] The Crocodile Hunter Diaries[15] and New Breed Vets.[16] Animal Planet also created the annual Croc Week marathon, which lasted a full week in the middle of June, every year from 2000 to 2007.[17][18][19] During a January 2006 interview on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Irwin announced that Discovery Kids would be developing a show for his daughter, Bindi Sue Irwin[20] – a plan realised after his death as the series Bindi the Jungle Girl.[21]

Other television and film work

Irwin in 2000

In 1998, Irwin continued his television career, working with director Mark Strickson to present The Ten Deadliest Snakes in the World.[22] He appeared on several episodes of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.[23][24] A 2000 FedEx 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.[25]

Under Irwin's leadership, the operations grew to include the zoo, the television series, the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation (later renamed Wildlife 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 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and possibly at other sites around the world.[2]

In 2001, Irwin appeared in a cameo role in the Eddie Murphy film Dr. 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's The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, which was released to mixed reviews. In the film, Irwin (who portrayed himself and performed numerous stunts) mistakes some CIA agents for poachers. He sets out to stop them from capturing a crocodile, which, unknown to him, has actually swallowed a tracking transmitter. The film won the Best Family Feature Film award for a comedy film at the Young Artist Awards. The film was produced on a budget of about US$12 million, and has grossed $33 million.[26] To promote the film, Irwin was featured in an animated short produced by Animax Entertainment for Intermix.[27]

In 2002, Irwin and his family appeared in the Wiggles video/DVD release Wiggly Safari, which was set in Australia Zoo and featured singing and dancing inspired by Australian wildlife.[28] Irwin fronted an advertising campaign for The Ghan in 2003, a passenger train operating between Adelaide, Alice Springs, and Darwin.[29] A Pacific National NR class locomotive was named Steve Irwin as part of the campaign.

Environmentalism

Irwin feeding a crocodile at Australia Zoo in 2005

Irwin was a passionate conservationist and believed in promoting environmentalism by sharing his excitement about the natural world rather than preaching to people. He was concerned with conservation of endangered animals and land 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'.[30] Irwin bought 'large tracts of land' in Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji, and the United States, which he described as 'like national parks' and stressed the importance of people realising that they could each make a difference.[31]

Irwin founded the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation, which became an independent charity and was later renamed 'Wildlife Warriors Worldwide'.[32] He also helped found International Crocodile Rescue,[33] the Lyn Irwin Memorial Fund (named in memory of his mother, who died in an automobile crash in 2000),[34] and the Iron Bark Station Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility.[35]

Irwin urged people to take part in considerate tourism and not support illegal poaching through the purchase of items such as turtle shells or shark-fin soup.[36]

Sir David Attenborough was an inspiration to Irwin, according to his widow. When presenting a Lifetime Achievement Award to Attenborough after Irwin's death at the British National 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'.[37] 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'.[13]

Sporting activities

Irwin loved mixed martial arts competitions and trained with Greg Jackson in the fighting/grappling system of Gaidojutsu.[38]

He was an avid cricket fan. This was seen during his visit to Sri 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 the Crocodile Hunter episode 'Island of the Snakes'.[39]

Having grown up in Essendon, Irwin was a fan of the Essendon Bombers, an Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League.[40] Irwin took part in an Australian Rules football promotion in Los Angeles as part of 'Australia Week' in early 2006.[41] After his death, a picture of Irwin wearing a Bombers guernsey was shown by ESPN.com in their Bottom 10 ranking of the worst Division I FBS college football teams after Week 1 of the season in tribute to him.[42]

Having lived in Queensland most of his life, Irwin was also a fan of rugby league. As a teenager, he played for the Caloundra Sharks as a second-rower,[43] and as an adult he was known to be a passionate Brisbane 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 supported rugby union, being a fan of the national team, the Wallabies. He once wore a Wallaby jersey during a demonstration at the zoo. A behind-the-scenes episode of The Crocodile Hunter showed Irwin and the crew finding a petrol station in a remote part of Namibia to watch the Wallabies defeat France in the 1999 Rugby World Cup Final.

Irwin was also a talented surfer.[44]

Media campaigns

A poster from Irwin's Quarantine Matters! campaign

Irwin was involved in several media campaigns. He enthusiastically joined with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service to promote Australia's strict quarantine 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.[45]

In 2004, Irwin was appointed ambassador for The Ghan, the passenger train running from Adelaide to Alice Springs in the central Australian outback, when the line was extended all the way to Darwin on the northern coast that year. For some time he was sponsored by Toyota.[46]

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.[30] His immense popularity in the United States meant he often promoted Australia as a tourist destination there.[47] As a part of the United States' 'Australia Week' celebrations in January 2006, Irwin appeared at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California.[48]

Search and rescue in Mexico

In November 2003, Irwin was filming a documentary on sea lions off the coast of Baja California Peninsula in Mexico when he heard via his boat's radio that two scuba 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.[49]

Death and funeral

Irwin died on 4 September 2006, after being pierced in the chest by a short-tail stingray barb while filming in the Great Barrier Reef with Philippe Cousteau Jr. The stinger penetrated his thoracic wall, causing massive trauma.[50][51] He was at Batt Reef, near Port Douglas, Queensland, taking part in the production of the documentary series Ocean's Deadliest. Irwin's death is believed to be the only fatality from a stingray captured on video.[52] 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.[53] Irwin was buried in a private ceremony at Australia Zoo later that same day.[54] 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.[55]

Flowers left in Irwin's memory the day after his death

Personal life

Marriage and family

In 1991, Irwin met Terri Raines, an American naturalist from Eugene, 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.[56] 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'.[57] 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).[58] Bindi Sue is jointly named after two of Steve Irwin's favourite animals: Bindi, a saltwater crocodile, and Sui, a Staffordshire 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'.[2] 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.[59] Irwin frequently said that if he was to be remembered for anything, he hoped that it would be for being a good father.[60]

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'.[61]

Political views

While Irwin was usually apolitical, he once described Liberal Prime Minister John Howard as "the greatest leader Australia has ever had" and "the greatest leader in the entire world" during Howard's visit to Australia Zoo in 2003.[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 to Michael 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 to child abuse.[64] Irwin apologised on the US NBC show Today.[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 was 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 the Queensland 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 filming The Crocodile Hunter episode "Ice Breaker" in Antarctica. 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 the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that he was a conservationist and did not choose sides in politics. His comments describing Australian Prime Minister John Howard as the 'greatest leader in the world' earned him scorn in the media.[70]

In response to questions of Australia's problems with overgrazing, salinity, and erosion, Irwin responded: "Cows have been on our land for so long that Australia has evolved to handle those big animals". 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 the animated film Happy Feet, as an elephant 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 of The 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 from The Crocodile Hunter. Later that year, Bindi released the documentary My Daddy, the Crocodile Hunter in Irwin's memory. He appears in several episodes of Bindi the Jungle Girl via archive footage. Archive footage of him has also been used in the television series Crikey! It's the Irwins, which began airing in 2018.

Steve Irwin Day

Steve Irwin Day is an annual event 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, a tortoise from the Galápagos Islands.[74] Events that take place include people raising money for Wildlife Warriors to help continue Irwin's conservation work,[75][76][77] and employees at Australia Zoo wearing khaki uniforms in Irwin's memory.[78][77][79][80]

Honours

Steve Irwin Memorial, Mooloolaba, Queensland

In 1997, while on a fishing trip on the coast of Queensland with his father, Irwin discovered a new species of turtle. Herpetologist John Cann named it Irwin's turtle (Elseya irwini) in honour of Steve Irwin.[81][82] Another newly discovered Australian animal – a species of air-breathing land snail, Crikey steveirwini, was named after Irwin in 2009.[83]

Irwin was awarded the Centenary Medal by the Australian government in 2001 for his 'service to global conservation and to Australian tourism'.[84] In 2004, he was recognised as Tourism Export of the Year.[85] He was also nominated in 2004 for Australian of the Year but it was awarded to Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh,[86] while Irwin was named 2004 Queensland Australian of the Year.[87] Shortly before his death, Irwin was to be named an adjunct professor at the University of Queensland's School of Integrative Biology. On 14 November 2007, Irwin was awarded the adjunct professorship posthumously.[88] In 2007, Irwin was posthumously inducted into the Logie Hall of Fame.[89]

In May 2007, the government of Rwanda announced that it would name a baby gorilla after Irwin as a tribute to his work in wildlife conservation.[90] Also in 2007, the state government of Kerala, India named the Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre at Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in his honour;[91] 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[92] – a request with which the state government complied in mid-2009.[93]

Irwin, after his death, was described by Mark Townend, CEO of RSPCA Queensland, as a 'modern-day Noah'.[94] British naturalist David Bellamy lauded his skills as a natural historian and media performer.[95] Canadian environmentalist David 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'.[96]

After his death, the vessel MV Robert Hunter owned by the environmental action group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society was renamed MY Steve Irwin.[97] 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.[98] Regarding the ship and its new name, Terri said, 'If Steve were alive, he'd be aboard with them!'[99]

Irwin was inducted in 2009 into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame, recognised for international entrepreneurship both in business and wildlife conservation, significantly contributing to Queensland and its international reputation[100] and in 2015, Irwin was a posthumous recipient of the Queensland Greats Awards.[101] In 2017 it was announced that Irwin would be posthumously honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[102][103] The star was unveiled on 26 April 2018.[104] On 22 February 2019, the 57th anniversary of Irwin's birth, the search engine Google released a Google Doodle commemorating him, in the form of a slideshow.[105]

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 the government of Queensland to promote tourism in the state with them regarding Australia Zoo as one of the state's most iconic tourist destinations.[106] His son Robert became a spokesperson for Queensland's tourism board in 2020.[107]

In 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, some Australians voiced support for the nation's currency to feature Irwin instead of King Charles III, with two citizens filing separate petitions to gather support for the cause.[108] When asked by the press on the matter, prime minister Anthony 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]

Filmography

Film

Steve Irwin' film credits
Year Film Character Description
2001 Dr. Dolittle 2 Himself Cameo appearance
2002 The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course Main role
The Wiggles Wiggly Safari Direct-to-video
2006 Happy Feet Trev (voice) Posthumous release; final film role (Dedicated in memory)

Television

Steve Irwin' television credits
Year Television show Character Description
1996–2007 The Crocodile Hunter Himself 78 episodes
1997 Crocs Down Under Television special
1999–2001 Croc Files 56 episodes
2001 The Ten Deadliest Snakes in the World Television special
2002–2006 The Crocodile Hunter Diaries 96 episodes
2002 Steve Irwin's Ghosts of War Television special
Mystery Hunters 1 episode
Lights! Croc! Action! Television special
Up Over Down Under
2003 Croc Hunter LIVE!
2004 Croc Live
Ice Breaker
Confessions of the Crocodile Hunter
2005 New Breed Vets with Steve Irwin 6 episodes
Steve's Last Adventure Television special
2006 Steve Irwin's Great Escapes Miniseries (two episodes)[110]
5 Takes: Pacific Rim One episode
2007 Ocean's Deadliest Television special
Released posthumously
Crikey! What an Adventure: An Intimate Look at the Life of Steve Irwin
My Daddy, the Crocodile Hunter
Secrets of the Crocodile
2007–2008 Bindi, the Jungle Girl Himself (via archived footage) Television series
Released posthumously
2018–2022 Crikey! It's the Irwins

References

  1. ^ "Steve Irwin". Australia Zoo. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b c King, Larry; Irwin, Steve (25 November 2004). "Larry King Live Interview With Steve Irwin". CNN. Archived from the original on 24 November 2005. Retrieved 4 September 2006.
  3. ^ "Record number of Irish immigrants to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Australia". Ancestryeurope.ie. Archived from the original on 28 June 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  4. ^ "27% of tested Aussies have Irish ethnicity". The Courier-Mail. 15 March 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Honour Steve Irwin's passion for nature" Archived 21 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Queensland Government Department of Education and Training, 2006.
  6. ^ "Biography: Steve Irwin". The Australian. 4 September 2006. Archived from the original on 27 May 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2006.
  7. ^ Wulff, Jennifer (18 September 2006). "Wild by Nature. (Steve Irwin 1962–2006)". People Weekly. 66 (12): 60.
  8. ^ a b "The Irwin Family" Archived 17 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Australia Zoo web site. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  9. ^ Crittall, Ron; Atkinson, Lee; Llewellyn, Marc; Mylne, Lee (2009). Frommer's Australia 2010. Frommer's. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-470-48214-8. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  10. ^ "Steve Irwin: Spotlight on Australia's Beloved Crocodile Hunter". 9 February 2017. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  11. ^ Platt, R: "A Natural Presenter at One With Nature" The Guardian. 5 September 2006
  12. ^ Lee, Sandra (18 June 2000). "Wild Thing". USA Weekend Magazine. Archived from the original on 17 January 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  13. ^ a b "Terri Irwin honours 'inspirational' Attenborough". Sydney Morning Herald. 2 November 2006. Archived from the original on 10 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  14. ^ "Croc Files", Discovery Kids web site. Retrieved 15 January 2011. Archived 4 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "The Crocodile Hunter Diaries – About the Show" Archived 8 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Animal Planet web site. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  16. ^ "New Breed Vets – Synopsis" Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Animal Planet web site, 10 December 2006.
  17. ^ King, Susan (8 June 2003). "Irwin Is a Wild Animal's Best Friend, Mate". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  18. ^ Reid, Shauna (16 June 2000). "Croc Week". Shauna Reid Writes. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  19. ^ McCormick, Moira (12 May 2001). What a 'Croc'. Billboard. p. 129. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  20. ^ The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, 13 January 2006.
  21. ^ "Despite the facts, Steve Irwin is still alive for Bindi's fans" Archived 4 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine, The Age, 14 July 2008.
  22. ^ "The Ten Deadliest Snakes in the World with Steve Irwin (1998)" Archived 10 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Wild Film History. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
  23. ^ "Steve Irwin, Wildlife Master, Is Killed by a Stingray at 44" by Glenn Collins Archived 17 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, 5 September 2006: "... he was an ebullient staple of American talk shows ranging from The Tonight Show With Jay Leno to Live With Regis and Kelly."
  24. ^ "Steve Irwin, Bob Irwin, Murray the Crocodile, & The Snake Faux Pas" Archived 18 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Diana L. Guerrero, Ark Animals. Retrieved 5 February 2011: "I met Steve Irwin and Terri Irwin on the set of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
  25. ^ "Steve Irwin Handles Fierce Snake For Fedex". The Inspiration Room. 21 September 2006. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  26. ^ "The Crocodile Hunter:Collision Course". Box Office Mojo. Box Office Mojo, LLC. Archived from the original on 25 September 2011.
  27. ^ "The Crocodile Hunter". Animax. Archived from the original on 26 October 2006. Retrieved 10 September 2006.
  28. ^ The Wiggles – Wiggly Safari Archived 5 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine (DVD), Lyons / Hit Ent., 3 September 2002.
  29. ^ "Ghan's New 'Steve Irwin' Loco to Bring Tourists to Top End". ABC News. 26 September 2003. Archived from the original on 22 February 2011.
  30. ^ a b King Murdoch, Anna (10 June 2003). "He's smart, by crikey". The Age. The Age Company Ltd. Archived from the original on 1 September 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2006.
  31. ^ Denton, Andrew; Irwin, Steve (6 October 2003). "Enough Rope with Andrew Denton – episode 30: Steve Irwin". ABC. Archived from the original on 10 July 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2006.
  32. ^ "Wildlife Warriors Worldwide" Archived 23 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Australia Zoo. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
  33. ^ "ICR History" Archived 28 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine, International Crocodile Rescue. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
  34. ^ "Lyn Irwin Memorial Fund" Archived 23 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Australia Zoo. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
  35. ^ "Iron Bark Station" Archived 12 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Australia Zoo. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
  36. ^ "Death of the crocodile hunter". The First Post. 4 September 2006. Archived from the original on 12 October 2006. Retrieved 10 September 2006.
  37. ^ "Wildlife legend honoured". ITN News. ITN. 1 November 2006. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2006.
  38. ^ Jackson's Gaidojutsu Self Defense www.jacksons.tv. Retrieved 7 September 2006. Archived 23 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  39. ^ "Island of Snakes part 6". YouTube. 26 February 2008. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2008.
  40. ^ "Steve Irwin" Archived 25 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine The Times Online 5 September 2006. Retrieved 6 September 2006
  41. ^ AFL Match, Steve Irwin Show. Retrieved 5 September 2006 Archived 5 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  42. ^ Duffey, David (6 September 2006). "The Bottom 10: Have a look at this beauty". ESPN. Archived from the original on 3 November 2006. Retrieved 11 September 2006.
  43. ^ Our mate Steve Archived 13 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 12 September 2006
  44. ^ "Surfers invited to pay tribute". Sunshine Coast Daily. Archived from the original on 30 July 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  45. ^ Willis, Louise; Irwin, Steve; Colvin, Mark (4 November 2003). "PM – Steve Irwin defends quarantine ad". ABC. Archived from the original on 22 August 2005. Retrieved 5 September 2006.
  46. ^ Toyota Australia page[permanent dead link]: Crikey! Steve Irwin loves his Toyotas!
  47. ^ Elliot, Geoff (27 January 2006). "Keep it simple, mate". The Australian.Copy at www.australianmade.com.au Archived 27 August 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  48. ^ Minutes Archived 25 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine of the Associated Students, UCLA, board of directors regular meeting, 2 December 2005, p. 4: "The week of 15 January 2006 will be 'Australia Week' on campus. Events include a Steve Irwin show at Pauley Pavilion...."
  49. ^ Geyer, Thomas (23 November 2003). "Diver remembers day her scuba buddy died in Baja". Cyber Diver News Network. Archived from the original on 26 January 2007. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  50. ^ Crocodile Hunter (30 May 2012). "Discovery Channel Mourns the Death of Steve Irwin". Animal.discovery.com. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  51. ^ "Steve Irwin: Google Doodle celebrates 57th birth anniversary of Steve Irwin, the crocodile hunter". Times of India. 22 February 2019. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  52. ^ "Stingray Deaths Rare and Agonizing". CNN. Reuters. 4 September 2006. Archived from the original on 21 September 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2006.
  53. ^ Robson, Lou (10 September 2006). "Family says private farewell". The Sunday Mail. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2006.
  54. ^ "'Crocoseum' tribute set for Irwin". BBC. 13 September 2006. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2006.
  55. ^ "300 Million People To Watch Steve Irwin Memorial". ecanadanow.com. 19 September 2006. Archived from the original on 26 October 2006. Retrieved 13 September 2006.
  56. ^ "Steve Irwin, Terri Love At First Site". YouTube. 8 September 2006. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  57. ^ "Reptile Romance". Who Magazine. 2 November 2002. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2006.
  58. ^ "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.
  59. ^ Americanprofile.com. Retrieved 7 September 2007. Archived 5 November 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  60. ^ "Steve Irwin - The Crocodile Hunter - Australia Zoo". Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  61. ^ "The Crocodile Hunter - Steve's Say". www.crocodilehunter.com.au. Archived from the original on 19 June 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  62. ^ "Crikey! Praise for PM puts you in a snake pit". 9 November 2003.
  63. ^ Barkham, Patrick (5 September 2006). "It's like a part of Australia has died". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2006.
  64. ^ "Inquiry into croc baby stunt". BBC News. 3 January 2004. Archived from the original on 15 January 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2006.
  65. ^ McIlveen, Luke (4 September 2006). "Irwin's Death was Filmed". The Daily Telegraph. UK. Archived from the original on 20 September 2006. Retrieved 9 February 2007.
  66. ^ Schembri, Jim (15 January 2004). "TV's mixed messages". The Age. Australia. Archived from the original on 13 November 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2007.
  67. ^ O'Rourke, Claire (5 January 2004). "Croc hunter ducks for cover". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 12 May 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2006.
  68. ^ "Steve Irwin baby concerns prompt law change". The Sydney Morning Herald. 24 February 2005. Archived from the original on 5 October 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2006.
  69. ^ "Irwin cleared after Penguin Probe". BBC News. 15 June 2004. Archived from the original on 6 March 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2006.
  70. ^ Devine, Miranda (9 November 2003). "Crikey! Praise for PM puts you in a snake pit". The Sun-Herald. Archived from the original on 12 May 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2006.
  71. ^ Robson, Frank (4 September 2006). "Crikey, it's raw Stevo!". Good Weekend. Archived from the original on 15 October 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2006.
  72. ^ "Trivia for Happy Feet (2006)". Internet Movie Database. Archived from the original on 14 December 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  73. ^ "Extras in 'Happy Feet' include clip of late Steve Irwin" Archived 10 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine, HamptonRoads.com, 30 March 2007.
  74. ^ Meshulam, Yael (16 November 2020). "Touching Tributes Poured in for The Crocodile Hunter on Steve Irwin Day". The Dad. Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  75. ^ "Steve Irwin Day". wildlifewarriors.org.au. Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  76. ^ "Steve Irwin Day". www.steveirwinday.org. Archived from the original on 20 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  77. ^ a b "Steve Irwin Day 2016: Aussies Urged To 'Wear A Touch Of Khaki'". HuffPost. 14 November 2016. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  78. ^ "Steve Irwin Day : Khaki It". www.steveirwinday.org. Archived from the original on 20 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  79. ^ "Steve Irwin Day". Activity Village. Archived from the original on 25 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  80. ^ "It's Steve Irwin Day!". Checkiday.com. Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  81. ^ "Elseya irwini". Australian Faunal Directory. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Commonwealth of Australia. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2006.
  82. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Irwin, p. 130).
  83. ^ 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. abstract Archived 27 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  84. ^ "It's an Honour – Honours – Search Australian Honours". Itsanhonour.gov.au. 1 January 2001. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  85. ^ Crocodile Hunter: Croc Hunter Wins Top Export Gong Archived 26 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine, copy of The Sunshine Coast Daily article, originally published 10 December 2004.
  86. ^ "Steve Waugh named Australian of the Year" Archived 12 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 26 January 2004.
  87. ^ "2004 QLD Australian of the Year: Steve Irwin". Archived from the original on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  88. ^ "Croc Hunter becomes a professor". ABC News. 8 November 2007. Archived from the original on 11 January 2008. Retrieved 14 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.'
  89. ^ "Kate Ritchie wins gold at Logies". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 May 2007. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  90. ^ "Rwanda to name baby gorilla after Steve Irwin". ABC Online. 8 May 2007. Archived from the original on 9 May 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2007.
  91. ^ "Kerala crocodile park named after Irwin". NDTV. 8 May 2007. Archived from the original on 19 May 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2007.
  92. ^ "Wife shock for Irwin croc park – What's in a name?" Archived 13 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine, The Telegraph (Calcutta, India), 28 February 2009.
  93. ^ "Kerala govt removes Steve Irwin's name from croc park" Archived 23 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Daily News & Analysis, 5 June 2009.
  94. ^ McIlveen, Luke; AAP (4 September 2006). "Irwin's death was filmed". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  95. ^ Tait, Paul (4 September 2006). "Australia stunned by death of "modern-day Noah"". Reuters. Archived from the original on 7 February 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2006.
  96. ^ Suzuki, David; Moola, Faisal (15 November 2006). "Crocodile Hunter more than just a showman". David Suzuki Foundation. Archived from the original on 3 May 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  97. ^ "Sea Shepherd Renames Its Whale Defending Ship the Steve Irwin". Sea Shepherd. 5 December 2007. Archived from the original on 5 January 2008.
  98. ^ Towie, Narelle (4 December 2007). "Sea Shepherd honours Steve Irwin". Perth Now. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  99. ^ "Sea Shepherd Activists Cover Whaler with Stinky, Slimy Goo". Environment News Service. 26 December 2008. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  100. ^ "Steve Irwin (1962-2006)". Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  101. ^ "2015 Queensland Greats recipients". Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 31 May 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  102. ^ "Steve Irwin posthumously honoured with star on Hollywood Walk of Fame". ABC News. 23 June 2017. Archived from the original on 23 June 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  103. ^ Edwards, Grant (22 July 2019). The Strong Man. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9781760851118. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  104. ^ "Steve Irwin Remembered With Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame". Time. Archived from the original on 27 April 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  105. ^ "Steve Irwin's 57th Birthday February 22, 2019". Google. 22 February 2019. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  106. ^ "2015 Queensland Greats recipients | Queensland Greats Awards". www.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  107. ^ O'Flaherty, Antonia (6 February 2020). "Qld Premier calls on young wildlife warrior Robert Irwin to front state tourism campaign". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  108. ^ Borg, Rebecca (2 October 2022). "Australians petition to feature Steve Irwin on new $5". Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  109. ^ "Australians call for local icon to replace Queen on $5 note". 7NEWS. 17 September 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  110. ^ Steve Irwin's Great Escapes Episode Guide Archived 30 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine IMDB