Crikey Mate- The Crocodile Hunter

Crikey Mate!

“You see me running around wrestling crocs and grabbing venomous snakes,” he told People, “but we’re into conservation. That’s our passion. That’s my whole aim in life” (Amerman 2) world famous host of The Crocodile Hunter, Stephen Robert Irwin once said. Irwin's undeniable passion for animals were not only showed in his words throughout his life but also his conservation movements which led him to a life of wildlife exploration. Physical strength, mental power, and many other characteristics drew the viewers of The Crocodile Hunter to support the famous Australian wildlife fanatic. Irwin also once said, “Fear is a natural thing that us humans have. It keeps us alive. So every time I go in on a venomous snake, a crocodile, a bear, a cougar, a tiger shark-any wild animal- I get a little scared, a little nervy. Fear is a good thing” (Shears 38). Irwin played a significant role in wildlife conservation throughout his entire life by relocating reptiles, appearing on television conservation channels, running the Australian Zoo wildlife centre, and participating in many other projects including wildlife preservation which over the years earned him the name, The Crocodile Hunter.

Irwin was born near Melbourne on February 22nd, 1962, son of Bob and Lyn Irwin (Baker 15). Not shortly after he was born, Irwin’s parents decided to open Beerwah National Park to fulfill their dream of opening a wildlife park. “In 1973, when Steve was 11, the wildlife centre, then known as the Beerwah Reptile Park, opened up for the first time. What a contrast it was to today’s slick Australia Zoo venture, but as Steve was to so often point out through his career, his parents had to start somewhere, learning all the way” (Shears 70). Irwin went to...

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...4). Irwin was a well loved as the famous Crocodile Hunter, but as the empowering man that represented a huge role in wildlife conservation around the world as well.

Works Cited

Amerman, Don. "Steve Irwin." Newsmakers. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Biography in Context. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.

Baker, Trevor. Steve Irwin: The Incredible Life of the Crocodile Hunter. New York, NY: Thunder's Mouth, 2006. Print.

Irwin, Steve, and Terri Irwin. The Crocodile Hunter: The Incredible Life and Adventures of Steve and Terri Irwin. New York: Dutton, 2001. Print.

Shears, Richard. Wildlife Warrior: Steve Irwin, 1962-2006: A Man Who Changed the World. Sydney, Australia: New Holland, 2006. Print.

"Steve Irwin · Education Quotes 4." Steve Irwin / Education Quotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2014.

"Steve Irwin." Gale Biography in Context. Detroit: Gale, 1999. Gale Power Search. Web. 13 Jan. 2014.