Terri and Steve Irwin are more than just wildlife icons; they’re the parents behind Robert and Bindi Irwin’s passion for conservation. From opening Australia Zoo to pioneering wildlife rehabilitation efforts, the couple’s adventurous spirit has left a lasting legacy. Here are five fast facts you need to know about the Irwins and the incredible family that continues to inspire fans around the world.
1. Steve Irwin Inherited His Family’s Wildlife Park
Steve Irwin had a strong passion for wildlife, which happened to come from his parents, Bob and Lyn Irwin. Steve’s parents were both naturalists.
His parents moved to Queensland in 1970. They opened the Beerwah Reptile and Fauna Park. This is where Steve grew up, being around reptiles and crocodiles all the time.
In 1991, he took over the park’s management. One year later, he met Terri, and they would later rename the park to Australia Zoo.
Steve’s passion for wildlife also came from his parents, Bob and Lyn Irwin, who were both naturalists. In 1970, they moved to Queensland and opened the Beerwah Reptile and Fauna Park, where Steve grew up around reptiles and crocodiles. He took over the park’s management in 1991 and met Terri a year later. They later renamed it Australia Zoo, according to the zoo’s website.
2. Terri Irwin Started Her Own Animal Rehabilitation Facility in the U.S.
While Terri Irwin met Steve in 1992, she was a conservationist in her own right before meeting him. She is originally from Eugene, Oregon, and worked in her family’s trucking business while there.
However, she also founded a nonprofit called Cougar Country, which rehabilitated predatory mammals. This passion for wildlife came from her father, who would often bring home injured animals he found on the road.
3. The First Episode of ‘The Crocodile Hunter’ Was Their Honeymoon
After the couple was married in 1992, they didn’t take a traditional vacation for their honeymoon. Instead, Steve and Terri spent their honeymoon relocating crocodiles in Queensland, Australia.
This trip was actually filmed, and it would later be used as the premiere episode of their wildlife documentary series, “The Crocodile Hunter.”
This show helped launch Steve’s global fame. He became a household name to many, often appearing on daytime and late-night talk shows. Terri was with him for every adventure.
4. Steve Irwin Died in a Stingray Accident
On September 4, 2006, Steve was filming an underwater documentary on the Great Barrier Reef. While filming, Steve was killed by a stingray.
The stingray’s barb pierced Steve’s chest, which caused a fatal injury.
At the time of his death, their daughter, Bindi Irwin, was 8 years old, and Robert was 3 years old.
5. Their Love & Passion for Animals Lives on Through Their Children
While they were both young when their father passed away, both Robert and Bindi inherited their parents’ deep love for wildlife. They both have continued the conservation efforts of their parents.
The kids, along with their mom, continue Steve’s conservation legacy and his work at Australia Zoo. Robert Irwin is a zookeeper, television personality, and photographer. He frequently shares memories of his father while continuing the family’s work at Australia Zoo.
Terri, Bindi, and Robert starred in the Animal Planet series “Crikey! It’s the Irwins.” The show, which aired from 2018 to 2022, introduced the family’s mission to a whole new generation.
You can currently see Robert on “Dancing With the Stars” season 34, which airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
