Watch the 26-episode series, Steve Irwin's Wildlife Warriors, which showcases his daughter Bindi, son Robert and wife Terri Irwin continue the work he once began at Australia Zoo. The trio speaks to Phorum Dalal about keeping Steve's dream alive
Has carrying Steve’s legacy on been a challenge for you?
Terri: We want to keep Steve’s passion alive and make sure his legacy continues for future generations. Wildlife Warriors takes you behind the scenes of our lives at Australia Zoo, where the viewers will see everything from wildlife rescues to jumping crocs in Queensland.
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Describe your day at work at the Australian Zoo?
Bindi: Today, my alarm clock of tigers, elephants and a chorus of birds woke me up, early morning. I then completed a few hours of school and went for a photo-shoot with one of our tigers. We discovered that one of our pregnant white rhinos had given birth! After settling her, I went back to school for a little while. Then, I was off to climb one of the Glasshouse Mountains after which I got changed, and went out to dinner with a couple of friends. Living at Australia Zoo means that every day is different. I do distance education for school, which really works because it’s a programme that fits around our schedule.
Do you sometimes wish to spend a ‘normal’ life?
Terri: You must love what you do. Steve had a passion for animals and wildlife conservation and living with him instilled the same passion in Bindi and Robert. They strive to make the world a better place and inspire others to do the same.
Tell us about a memory with Steve you will never forget.
Bindi: I’ll never forget the first time dad let me jump on the head of a crocodile. On our annual crocodile research trips, in order for us to attach a tracking device to the crocs, we have to hold them down. So, the best croc jumpers all hold onto the crocs until they are ready to be released back into the water. When I was eight years old, dad said that I was old enough to jump on the head of one of the crocs!
What was Steve’s dream?
Terri: Steve was very passionate about wildlife. His dream was to connect with people and spread awareness about conservation. He felt blessed to be able to share his love for wildlife and conservation with such a wide audience of people with our filming work.u00a0
Episode 1
The show, originally hosted by crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, begins with a clipping of his, where he beckons you to join him on his mission to save wildlife. When you see this clipping, you know there will never be another enthusiastic host and wildlife conservationist like him.u00a0The Australian Zoo now has a strength of 400 hunters, for 1,000 wild animals on 500 acres of land. You smell adventure in the air. While the zoo has 35 crocodiles, an 80-year-old that they call Grandpa has an inflammation on his left foot. This maneater weighs 350 kg, Terri Irwin, Steve’s wife and chief of the zoo narrates, adding that she would like to pull the kids out of school to watch this task. She ropes in Wes, the zoo director for the mission, who brings 25 warriors. And yes, we are hooked on. Meanwhile, in another part of the zoo, a koala bear with a joey needs to be rescued and a cassowary bird has an injury on its talon. We wish we saw Terri, Bindi and little Robert in a little more action rather than be spectators. We hope the 25 remaining episodes serve us that adrenaline rush.
The show will be aired on Animal Planet from September 16 at 9 pm.