Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Steve Irwin 

Steve Irwin. Photo By Richard Giles – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Steve Irwin   

Steve Irwin, better known as The Crocodile Hunter, was an Australian zookeeper, conservationist, television personality, wildlife expert, and environmentalist. 

Until his tragic death in 2006, Irwin worked tirelessly to educate and advocate for animals and nature conservation.  

Here are the top 10 fascinating facts about Steve Irwin.  

1. Steve Grew Up in a Zoo 

Stephen Robert Irwin was born on 22nd February 1962 in Upper Ferntree Gully a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. A few years later, his parents Bob and Lyn Irwin, moved their family to Beerwah, Queensland. Here they opened the ‘Beerwah Reptile Park. 

Steve’s father was a wildlife expert, while his mother was a wildlife rehabilitator. He encountered reptiles from a very young age. He was six when he caught his first venomous snake and nine when he wrestled his first crocodile.   

Most of his childhood was spent taking care of the animals, feeding them, and helping his parents with general maintenance and the smooth running of the park.  

The park changed names several times before Steve named it Australia Zoo in 1998. His surviving family members still manage the Zoo and it is a top Australian tourist destination.  

2. Steve Met His Wife at the Zoo 

Statue of the Irwin family (Steve, Terry, their children, and dog) at Australia Zoo. Photo By thinboyfatter – Wikimedia Commons

In 1991, an American naturalist from Eugene, Oregon visited Steve’s Zoo. Her name was Terri Raines. When the two met, it was love at first sight. Terri was fascinated by Steve’s huge heart, he was like an environmental superhero. 

They got engaged after a few months of dating and were married on 4th June 1992. They did not wear wedding rings because they believed wearing jewelry could pose a hazard to the animals or themselves. 

Steve and his wife Terri spent their honeymoon trapping crocodiles together. Film footage of their honeymoon became the first episode of The Crocodile Hunter.  

They had lived together for 14 years and had two children when Steve passed on. 

3. He Was a Good Father 

Terri and Steve had two children. Their daughter Bindi Sue Irwin was born on 24th July 1998, and their son Robert Clarence Irwin was born on 1st December 2003. 

Bindi Sue is jointly named after two of Steve’s favorite animals. Bindi, a saltwater crocodile, and Sui, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.  

Robert is named after Irwin’s father Bob and Terri’s father Clarence. He is a television personality just like his dad and loves wildlife photography. 

Steve was accused of child abuse when he fed a crocodile at his zoo while holding his newborn son in his other hand, putting the baby’s life in jeopardy. He denied the allegations saying the child was never in any danger. The authorities didn’t press any charges. 

Steve always wished to be remembered for being a good father and he believed his children were the reason he was put on the Earth. 

4. Steve Was Physically Fit 

He was a big fan of Australian rules football, and also trained in the martial arts system of Gaidojutsu. Steve liked to stay in shape because his job was very physically demanding.   

When Irwin wasn’t out catching crocs, he loved jet skiing. He was also a certified diver and would often dive recreationally. 

When he was a volunteer for Queensland’s East Coast Crocodile Management program, he captured over 100 crocodiles. He needed to be fit to get this done. 

5. He Discovered a New Turtle Species 

Irwin’s Turtle. Photo By Ian Sutton – Wikimedia Commons

The turtle species is a freshwater snapping turtle that was discovered by Steve and his father in 1990. It lives in the Broken-Bowen River system that flows only 25 km in Central Queensland, Australia.  

It’s named after Steve Irwin, bearing the scientific name of ‘Elseya irwini’ which translates to ‘Irwin’s Turtle’. It has a yellow-white head that differentiates it from the murky green-brown of most freshwater turtles, and it breathes through its anus. 

There is also an air-breathing land snail species named after Steve. Crikey steveirwini was named after him in 2009. 

6. He Was Afraid of Parrots and Hippos 

Despite working with dangerous animals like crocodiles and snakes, Steve was terrified by hippos, and with good reason, because they are deadlier than sharks.  

He was also afraid of parrots. Over the years, he had some really bad parrot bites that nearly tore his nose off.   

7. Steve’s Legacy Was Conservation 

The Crocodile Hunter. Photo By Cindy Andrie – Wikimedia Commons

Steve bravely caught and relocated dangerous animals for their protection from humans and he cared for all animals and his family deeply. 

He founded the ‘Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation, later renamed ‘The Wildlife Warriors, to educate people on the importance of protecting injured, threatened, and endangered wildlife. 

He got many honors and awards for this. Before he died, he had bought large pieces of land in Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji, and the United States to preserve endangered species and wildlife. 

8. His Death Was Captured on Tape  

On 4th September 2006, Steve was at Batt Reef, near Port Douglas, Queensland, taking part in the production of the documentary series Ocean’s Deadliest.   

When there was a break in filming, Irwin went snorkeling to film some footage for his daughter Bindi Sue’s TV series. It was here that he was pierced in the chest by a short-tail stingray barb.  

The stinger penetrated his thoracic wall, causing massive trauma and although there was a video of the incident, all the footage was destroyed. 

After the fatal accident, several stingrays were found dead with their tails cut off on Queensland beaches. It was speculated to be revenge from fans. 

9. He Was Buried at the Zoo 

Steve was born there, was married there, and raised his kids there, so it’s only right he’d be laid to rest at the Australia Zoo. The funeral ceremony and burial at the Australia Zoo were not accessible to the public.  

Animal Planet ended The Crocodile Hunter series with a finale titled “Steve’s Last Adventure”  

10. There is a Steve Irwin Day   

Steve Irwin. Photo By Richard Giles – Wikimedia Commons

Steve Irwin Day is an annual event on 15 November, honoring the life and legacy of Steve. Events that take place include people raising money for Wildlife Warriors to help continue Irwin’s conservation work. Employees at Australia Zoo wear khaki uniforms in Irwin’s memory. 

Steve was inducted in 2009 into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame, honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a memorial, and more honors and awards.