Steve Irwin

Stephen Robert "Steve" Irwin (born February 22, 1962) is the manager of Australia Zoo in Queensland, Australia. He is best known as the co-presenter (with American wife Terri Irwin) of a highly unconventional nature documentary series, The Crocodile Hunter, in which Irwin's larger-than-life persona and seemingly outrageous antics are the key features.

Born in Victoria, he moved with his parents to Queensland as a child. His dad's name is Bob. The family ran the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, a small reptile park, which Steve became involved in running. When he was older, he became a crocodile trapper, removing crocodiles from near populated areas, performing the service for free with the quid pro quo that he kept them for the park.

In 1991, he took over the running of the park, now renamed the "Australia Zoo", and in 1992 met (at the park) and married Terri. The footage, shot by John Stainton, of their crocodile-trapping honeymoon became the first episode of The Crocodile Hunter, which became wildly successful in America.

In 2002, their first feature film, The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, was released. In 2003, Irwin was reportedly in line to host a chat show on Australian network television.

The Irwins have two children: a daughter, Bindi Sue Irwin (born 24 July 1998), and a son, Robert Clarence Irwin (born 1 December 2003) and they have a dog named Sui.

Controversy arose when, on 2 January 2004, Irwin, in a public show, carried his infant son in one arm while feeding a dead chicken carcass to a crocodile with the other hand. He then set the child down on the ground near a pond with a crocodile in it. Child welfare and animal rights groups critized his actions as irresponsible and tantamount to child abuse, although Irwin was not charged criminally. Irwin stated that the danger to the child was only a perceived danger and that he was in complete control of the situation. Irwin's defenders pointed to his several decades of "hands on" experience and direct interaction with crocodiles, his well-known love for his children, and his respect for his role as a father. His wife Terri commented that the child was in no more real danger than a child being taught to swim would be.

Five months later, in June of 2004, Irwin came under fire again when allegations were made that he had gotten too close and disturbed some wildlife (namely whales, seals and penguins) while filming a documentary in Antarctica. Interacting with Antarctic wildlife in such ways is a breach of federal and international laws, and can result in fines up to $1 million and/or two years imprisonment. At the time this article was last revised, criminal charges had not been filed against Irwin regarding these allegations.

External links

• Crocodile Hunter.com
• Sydney Morning Herald - Croc hunter ducks for cover
• Sydney Morning Herald - Crocodile Hunter's frolic with whales gets frosty reception
• Media Man Australia -Crocodile Hunter becomes the hunted