Steve Irwin - the Legend Lives on


Living, loving and leaving a legacy
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA — There are many around the world who would like to know what they can do to remember and honor the legendary Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, whose vibrant life was cut short a year ago on “of September 4th, 2006. In an official press release made by Australia Zoo, the Irwin family has issued a statement asking the public and press to abide by their wishes saying, “You would appreciate that September 4 is a day for Steve’s family, friends and fans to reflect on his passing. We would appreciate your assistance in ensuring September 4 is a quiet and private day for the Irwin Family and Australia Zoo. There will be no ceremony or press conferences held on September 4 and the Irwin Family will not be present at the Zoo on that day. The Zoo will be open though to the public. They encourage locals and visitors to come and enjoy the world class zoological facility that has continued to grow and thrive over the past year.”
Irwin with his wife, daughter and a croc friend
Steve’s wife, Terri says, “That not only have their children Bindi and Bob grown up so much this year but the zoo has also grown rapidly.” Over the past year the family has experienced enormous affirmation from people all over the world. Opportunities to speak on major television networks in the US and Australia has furthered the work of husband and father Steve. He truly lived, loved and continues to leave a legacy for his family, the world and most importantly for wildlife.

Over the past year the labor and passion of Steve’s life have born fruit “being filled with amazing awards, launches, tributes and hallmark events. Australia Zoo has gone from strength to strength with record crowds and has welcomed over 70 new employees taking the total number of staff to a whopping 549 employees ! What a little ripper !”

Steve’s best mate and Director at Australia Zoo, Wes Mannion said, “So many awesome developments have happened over the past year, with the Zoo growing at a rapid pace. There is always something exciting happening and we have been welcoming more and more visitors to the zoo, I know this would have made Steve proud.”

The end of 2006 saw the completion of the spectacular Elephantasia, Australia’s largest Asian Elephant facility. The extraordinary enclosure was the idea of Steve, with best mate, Wes and resident artist Cameron Chapman.

The mammoth sized project was officially launched in December 2006, wowing visitors and continuing to do so.
The month of April saw the launch of Australia Zoo on the Beach, the zoo’s first off site shop located in Mooloolaba. To coincide with this awesome launch was the expansion of Australia Zoo Travel. A fully licensed travel agency enabling those with itchy feet to book all their travel needs online.
In true zoo style, these amazing new facilities have been nominated for several awards. This year Australia Zoo’s Retail arm won the Australian Tourism Awards Retailing Award for the second year running. Wooo-hoo ! On June 23, Australia Zoo Whale Encounters was launched with Terri, Bindi and Robert revealing the 19 meter vessel appropriately named Steve’s Whale One.
Whale Encounters was a dream of Steve’s and he would have been so happy to see it realized. His hope was to share up close and personal experiences with these majestic giants to ensure he could convert guests into fully fledged supporters of whale conservation.

More recently, the Australian Government announced they would provide over $6 million to a reserve near Weipa, a continuation of Steve’s hard work. One-hundred and thirty-five thousand hectares will make up The Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve and will be used to protect and research wildlife in the area.
In July, Australian Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Hon. Malcolm Turnbull unveiled a new nine-meter, $359,000 rigid inflatable vessel to be named Crikey ! In honor of Steve. The response enforcement vessel will patrol and protect the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
The events of all events, Bindi’s ninth birthday on July 24 attracted record crowds at Australia Zoo with thousands of people turning out to enjoy the day. A celebration we know would make Steve proud. The launch of Bindi : The Jungle Girl in both the US and Australia would have made proud Dad smile from ear to ear. Each year Steve devoted a month to crocodile research in the field. This year headed by Steve’s father Bob Irwin, members of the Irwin family, Australia Zoo, University of Queensland and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service continued his same research in Northern Queensland.
The Irwin family and Australia Zoo have received enormous amounts of support from all over the world. With millions of heart felt tributes and many supporting messages.
“I would like to say thank you to everyone who sent messages of love and support, we greatly appreciate it. We will be celebrating Steve’s life and achievements through Steve Irwin Day. Steve left behind an extraordinary legacy, which I will make sure lives on forever,” Terri said.
Steve Irwin Day
The Irwin family and Australia Zoo look forward to holding Steve Irwin Day on November 15. This was the birthday of Australia Zoo’s Giant Galapagos Land Tortoise, Harriet. At 175 years old, Harriet was a friend to all at Australia Zoo and especially close to Steve ; the two of them shared a special bond until Harriet’s passing in June 2006. Australia Zoo felt this was the perfect day to celebrate Steve’s life as it was always a very special day to Steve.
This will be a day for enjoying the things most special to Steve : family and wildlife. You can participate in this day through a number of activities and help carry the dreams, work and passion as the original Wildlife Warrior, Steve Irwin did.
How do you Connect, Collect and Protect ?
Steve Irwin Day can be honored not just by locals and visitors visiting the zoo but by people around Australia and the world through participating in the Great Backyard campout and Khaki Day.
It’s easy !
Collect and Protect
Steve Irwin was immediately recognizable around the world in his trademark khaki uniform - it was his go anywhere, signature style and he wore it with pride. From red carpets to croc rescues, Steve and his khakis always took centre stage !
We can’t think of a better way to salute Steve Irwin – the Crocodile Hunter and the original Wildlife Warrior – than by wearing khaki on Steve Irwin Day, 15 November 2007.
You can participate by : wearing khaki to your workplace for the day, collecting donations for Wildlife Warriors, protecting wildlife and habitat by sending your donations to Wildlife Warriors so that we can continue the conservation work that Steve started

-out with family, friends, your community and the environment by camping out in your own backyard on November 15, 16 or 17. Backyard Camp-out is Wildlife Warriors’ major appeal for 2007 and is being conducted as part of the Steve Irwin Day activities. It is a chance to celebrate Steve’s life and achievements and make sure that his conservation work continues through Wildlife Warriors.
Collect - sponsors for your camp-out. Remember $2 and over is tax deductible in Australia and the USA.
Protect – when you send the money you raised to Wildlife Warriors you will be protecting wildlife and habitat.
Imagine one million people connecting, collecting and protecting. That’s one million caring people protecting wildlife and habitat.