Ten Facts about the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin

by Libby Pelham | More from this Blogger

05 Sep 2006 07:59 AM

I am still trying to get over the death of Steve Irwin. I rarely watched his show, but we all knew who the Crocodile Hunter was and he seemed invincible. I think it makes it harder to accept in that his death seemed to be nothing more than a freak accident.

But rather than concentrate on his death, let's celebrate his life. Here are some facts about Steve you may or may not have known:

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 bring 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 honor - Elseya Irwini.

Be sure to check out Cathy's blog in Parenting and Beth's blog in Mental Health on how to explain Steve's death to your children.

*edited* I just came across this touching photo on the Discovery Channel web page and wanted to share it - tribute to Steve Irwin

Learn more about Libby Pelham

Libby Pelham is a work-at-home mom located in Jacksonville, NC. She has a beautiful little boy, Will, born in July of 2004.

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Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 05 Sep 2006 09:02 AM

Great information, Libby!

Libby Pelham (12876) 05 Sep 2006 11:37 AM

Thanks Cathy - I liked your blog as well, but my two year old is too young to understand anyhow.