Becoming the crocodile hunter was much more than Steve Irwinthe career path of – it was his destiny.
“I was born into it,” he told Yahoo! Australia in 2002. “I had no choice.”
From a young age, Steve joined his herpetologist father Bob Irwin and wildlife rehabilitator mom Lyne Irwin on expeditions and helped out at their reptile park in Queensland, Australia. He then captured and relocated crocodiles as part of a government public safety and conservation effort.
In 1991, Steve took over his parents’ reptile park. This is where he met his wife Terri Irwin while she was visiting from Oregon. After their marriage in 1992, they began filming the docuseries The crocodile hunter.
Steve and Terri continued their passion for spreading conservation education through their television shows and their park, which they transformed into Australia Zoo and became parents to a daughter. Bindi Irwin and son Robert Irwin.
Steve died on September 4, 2006, after a stingray barb entered his heart while filming in the Great Barrier Reef. He was 44 years old. However, his legacy lives on through his work and his family.
“The proudest thing I have accomplished personally,” he said in a video shared by Australia Zoo, “is my children.”
