He was a legend in his own lifetime.
And as November 15 marks Steve Irwin Day, Ny Breaking Australia looks back on the legacy of the conservationist known around the world as the ‘Crocodile Hunter’.
Steve died on September 4, 2006, at the age of 44, after being pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming a documentary about the Great Barrier Reef.
After his death, Steve’s family, including his daughter Bindi, 25, widow Terri, 59, son Robert, 19, and son-in-law Chandler Powell, 27, continued his conservation work at the Australia Zoo.
It was Steve’s father, Bob, 83, who built the iconic Queensland zoo from the ground up in 1970 and passed it on to his late son and wife Terri in 1992.
And on November 15, Steve Irwin Day Ny Breaking Australia looks back at the legacy of the conservationist known around the world as the ‘Crocodile Hunter’. (Image: Steve Irwin in his heyday – the conservationist died in 2006 aged 44 after being stung by a stingray)
One of the family’s most recent tributes to Steve is the Crocodile Hunter Lodge, which consists of luxury cabins within the zoo building.
The chic rooms offer guests modern comforts within the picturesque grounds, with cabins for four people listed on the website for $949 per night.
The site also houses a restaurant called ‘Warrior’ in tribute to Steve and his grandchild, Grace Warrior.
After his death, Steve’s family, including his daughter Bindi, 25, widow Terri, 59, son Robert, 19, and son-in-law Chandler Powell, 27, continued his conservation work at the Australia Zoo (all pictured, with two-year-old Grace Warrior)
It was Steve’s father, Bob, 83, who built the iconic Queensland zoo from the ground up in 1970 and passed it on to his late son and wife Terri in 1992. (Image: Steve, Terri, baby Robert and Bindi in 2003)
During his lifetime, Steve promoted conservation with his own hit TV show, the Crocodile Hunter.
And his family has continued his legacy with their own blockbuster wildlife reality series Crikey! It’s The Irwins, who debuted in 2018 and can still be seen on the Animal Planet network.
Meanwhile, last month, Australian fans of Steve called on the conservationist superstar to display $5 bills in place of King Charles III.
One of the family’s most recent tributes to Steve is the Crocodile Hunter Lodge, which consists of luxury cabins within the zoo building.
Steve’s throwback videos are known to be rivalrous, such as this hilarious 2002 TV appearance on Rove Live with host Rove MacManus
A Facebook page shared a photo of the Croc Hunter with the caption: ‘An Australian icon, on the next coin or not? I think.’
The post received hundreds of likes, with many Australians doing their bit to support the idea.
Even though Steve passed away more than seventeen years ago, his throwback videos featuring his hilarious antics and extraordinary energy still go viral.
Last month a priceless TV interview emerged, filmed when Steve appeared on Rove Live in 2002.
In the clip, Steve is asked by presenter Rove MacManus if he was a coffee drinker.
“Heck no!”, says Steve in his typical over-the-top style. “It would blow the top of my head off!”
“I tried it once, it was ten years ago,” he continued over the raucous laughter of the studio audience. “And I haven’t recovered yet.”
The video, shared on Instagram, has generated an outpouring of love and affection.
Last month, Steve’s Australian fans called for the conservationist superstar to appear on coins in place of King Charles III
The Irwins share a photo from a gala dinner they hosted in Steve’s honor last weekend
“What a guy,” one fan gushed.
Meanwhile, another joked: ‘Cocaine once tried Steve Irwin’, while another simply wrote: ‘The world needs Steve Irwin now.’
“I’m inclined to believe Steve was in the top 10 most likable men in history,” said another.
“Ripper I miss that guy so much, I loved his enthusiasm and his passion for wildlife,” said one fan, while another added: “Steve had natural energy, he didn’t need coffee, coffee needed Need Steve.”