Steve Irwin

Stephen Robert Irwin was an Australian conservationist, environmentalist, zookeeper and wildlife educator nicknamed the Crocodile Hunter. He rose to global fame co-hosting The Crocodile Hunter with his wife Terri, and helped expand his parents’ Beerwah wildlife park into Australia Zoo. He died on 4 September 2006 after a stingray barb pierced his heart while filming at Batt Reef on the Great Barrier Reef.

Grew up helping his parents at the Beerwah Reptile Park (opened 1970), later the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, learning crocodile and reptile care from his father Bob Irwin.

Instead of a honeymoon, Steve and Terri filmed a crocodile relocation that became the first Crocodile Hunter episode. He often said he hoped to be remembered most for being a good dad.

Married American naturalist Terri Raines on 4 June 1992 in Eugene, Oregon. They had two children, Bindi Sue Irwin (born 1998) and Robert Clarence Irwin (born 2003). His father Bob Irwin founded the family wildlife park that became Australia Zoo.