5 of 12

Write now Article Tools

On 5 September, 2006, Steve Irwin died doing what he loved the best, being as one with his beloved creatures of the wild. He was stabbed with the poisonous barb of a stingray while filming on the Great Barrier Reef. I can still feel the shock and horror that moved us to tears of grief and disbelief.

Steve Irwin dead? It just didn't seem real. Steve Irwin was a larger than life figure he seemed almost immortal - a true blue ocker Aussie with his integrity in his handshake. He called a spade a spade and said it like it was. He had not one ounce of duplicity in his soul.

When the tragic news came through on the radio, I was shaken to the core. It can't be true!' I kept saying to myself.

During the last school holidays, my husband and I took our grandchildren to the Australia Zoo. We were totally impressed at the faultless professional presentation of the Zoo. We were greeted with friendly smiles from all the staff, and answers to our many animal questions were willingly given. The grounds were spotless not one Coke can anywhere. A wonderful testimony for Steve Irwin, and now the Zoo has become his legacy to the Australian public.

He lived life to the fullest and he was not afraid to have a go' at what he believed in. He adored his wife and children and he loved and treated his crocs and all of his animals as part of his extended family.

His cable TV Crocodile series was shown over America well before he found fame in Australia. Because of this, he became a household name in the States and was loved for his daring exploits and his extreme Aussie accent. Crikey!

Steve was a committed environmentalist with passion and enthusiasm for the protection of all wild life. In 2002, Steve and his wife Terri established Wildlife Warriors Worldwide Ltd as a way to include and involve other caring people to support the protection of injured, threatened or endangered wildlife.

Wildlife Warriors objectives were Steve's objectives they were rules he based his life around :
To protect and enhance the natural environment; to provide information and education to the public and raise awareness of wildlife issues; to undertake biological research; to research, recommend and act in the protection of threatened or endangered species; to enter into cop-operative arrangements with like-minded organisations.

Two of his last projects were to build an Australian Wildlife Hospital, and to continue Crocodile Rescue and Research.

He and Terri built a Wildlife Hospital to the memory of Steve's mother, Lyn, who was a childhood inspiration to Steve with her wonderful, dedicated work in caring for baby animals. The hospital is located near to Australia Zoo, and collects sick, injured and orphaned koalas and other wildlife and cares for them til they are ready to be released into the wild.

Wildlife Warriors Worldlwide is working on important research programs in Queensland to better understand the movements and habits of crocodiles, in an effort to facilitate the planning of community developments and potential animal relocation. Crocodile rescue teams are also deployed at times to help relocate crocs that have strayed into public areas, as well as providing community education on living with these giants that Steve loved so much.

Steve Irwin gave his life in the pursuit of unlocking more knowledge and understanding of the world's precious and endangered wildlife.

He was not afraid.

Learn more about this author, Patricia Young.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Remembering Steve Irwin?
We want to hear your view. Write now!