Steve Irwin - Animal Conservationist

Did you know that Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter was a conservationist and  the host of his own television show. But he also actively worked towards these causes with the establishment of the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation (now Wildlife Warriors Worldwide), the International Crocodile Rescue, Lyn Irwin Memorial Fund, and Ironbark Station Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility.

Here are 10 facts about Steve Irwin.

10 . Steve had been around animals almost all of his life. As a present on his sixth birthday, he was given a scrub python. By age nine, he was handling crocodiles under the supervision of his father..

9 . Steve began running the Australia Zoo in 1991. That was the same year he made his first appearance in a television special about reptiles and wildlife.

8 .  The first episode of The Crocodile Hunter was of Steve and new bride Terri trapping crocodiles on their honeymoon.

7 . By 1999, Steve’ show The Crocodile Hunter had become popular in the United States and was being broadcast in over 130 different countries around the world.

6 .In 2002, Steve starred in his only feature film, The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course. The film won a Young Artist Award for the Best Family Feature Film – Comedy.

5 .Steve was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal in 2001. The medal honored Steve for his service to global conservation and Australian tourism.

4 .Despite working with dangerous animal like crocodiles and snakes, Steve’s greatest fear was of parrots.

3 .His daughter, Bindi Sue, got her name from Steve’s Staffordshire bull terrier (named Sui) and his favorite crocodile (named Bindi).

2 . He was a big fan of the Australian rules football team Essendon Bombers and also trained in the martial arts system of Gaidojutsu.

1 .  Steve has a species of snapping turtle named in his honour – Elseya Irwini.