Why does the world love Steve Irwin so much?

If you grew up in the early 2000s, chances are that at some point you came across a man dressed in brown, laying atop a gator twice his size, with a big grin on his face. Here’s a quick retrospective on how the wildlife conservationist icon, Steve Irwin, inspired millions and continues to do so, many years after his untimely death.

For the curious 5-year-old in me, my television activity was restricted to a set of channels that ranged from cartoons to the informationals. The prospects of my restless mind chancing upon the aforementioned gator-wrestling man while browsing through Animal Planet seemed inevitable.

For not-so-inexplicable reasons, the khaki-donning, swashbuckling Australian man on Animal Planet had me in a trance. At that moment, I think I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted to be the ‘Crocodile Hunter’.

Though that served as the title to his television series for many years, Steve Irwin was anything but. Though I suppose the more accurate ‘Crocodile Lover’ doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.

Irwin was a beloved Australian conservationist, wildlife expert, and television personality who dedicated his life to wildlife conservation and education. He was born on this day in 1962, in Victoria, Australia, and grew up in a family that owned and operated the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, now known as the Australia Zoo. From an early age, Irwin was passionate about wildlife and spent his childhood learning about and caring for animals.

Irwin's love for wildlife eventually led him to become a television personality and conservationist. He first appeared on television in the early 1990s as a guest on various wildlife programmes. However, it was not until 1996 that Irwin gained worldwide recognition as the host of his own wildlife programme, The Crocodile Hunter, which aired on Animal Planet. The show followed Irwin as he explored the Australian wilderness and interacted with a variety of different species.

Irwin was a trailblazer in his field. He had a unique way of engaging with animals, and his passion for conservation was contagious. He made it his life's work to educate people about wildlife and the importance of protecting our planet. His approach to conservation was practical, and he was always looking for ways to make it accessible to the average person. 

One would assume that his personality was a part of his Crocodile Hunter persona, but that was just how he was. He was always upbeat, optimistic, and had a great sense of humour. His over-the-top enthusiasm and his love for animals was evident in everything he did. He was a natural entertainer, and his shows were always filled with excitement and adventure. Irwin was an excellent communicator, and his message of conservation was delivered in a way that made it easy for people to understand and connect with.

Naturally, it wasn’t long before my pre-pubescent mind decided it would be a good idea to emulate my hero to the best of my ability. The better part of the following year was thus spent finding and observing a wide range of creepy-crawlies from around my neighbourhood, though with the proper respect and consideration as Steve had taught us too. The occasional high-pitched “Crikey!” would have probably left a few neighbours scratching their heads too I’m sure.

Irwin wasn't just all talk though. He was also a dedicated conservationist. He believed in the importance of preserving wildlife and their habitats, and he used his platform to educate viewers about the importance of conservation. He also founded the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation (now known as Wildlife Warriors), a non-profit organisation that works to protect wildlife and their habitats around the world.

Irwin's legacy lives on. His impact on wildlife conservation and education cannot be overstated. He inspired countless people around the world to care for and protect wildlife, and his legacy continues through his family and the organisations he founded. The Australia Zoo, which Irwin and his family own and operate, continues to be a major wildlife conservation and education centre in Australia. The Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation (Wildlife Warriors) also continues to work towards the protection of wildlife and their habitats.

Furthermore, Irwin's impact on popular culture cannot be ignored. His catchphrases, such as "Crikey!" and "Danger, danger, danger!" became iconic, and his enthusiastic and energetic persona inspired numerous parodies and imitations from fans across the world. He was also posthumously awarded several honours, including the Queensland Greats Award and the Australian Tourism Legend Award.

Having been raised in a constrictive schooling environment where empathy towards other living creatures is almost laughable, Steve moulded young minds like mine to treat animals with compassion and dignity. 

Where an unfortunate class visitor in the form of a friendly lizard or a little mouse had the entire class (including the teacher) shrieking for their lives and clambering over each other, Steve’s words always rang sonorous at the back of my head as I took the responsibility to escort the poor chaps to safety - “What a beautiful creature!”

On September 4, 2006, the world was shocked by his sudden and tragic death. He had been filming a segment for his show, Ocean's Deadliest, when he encountered a large stingray in shallow water. According to eyewitnesses, Irwin approached the stingray from behind and attempted to capture footage of it swimming away. Suddenly, the stingray turned and struck Irwin in the chest with its barb, piercing his heart.

Despite the efforts of his crew and emergency responders, Irwin was pronounced dead at the scene. The news of his death sent shockwaves around the world, with fans and admirers mourning the loss of a beloved icon.

Took me a moment to digest the news when I first heard it. I refused to believe it. I refused to believe that the man who wrestled saltwater crocodiles, grappled with reticulated pythons and outran Komodo Dragons could be felled by something as simple as a stingray. In one brief instant, one slip-up, the Crocodile Hunter was no more.

In the aftermath of Irwin's death, there was a renewed focus on the dangers of working with wildlife, and many called for greater safety precautions for those who work in this field. His legacy lives on through his family. His wife, Terri Irwin, and their two children, Bindi and Robert, have continued his work in conservation. They run the Australia Zoo, which Steve Irwin founded, and they are actively involved in various conservation efforts. The Irwin family has continued Steve’s legacy and has kept his spirit alive.

Irwin always felt larger than life. His life and legacy left an indelible mark on the world of wildlife conservation and education. His passion for animals, his infectious personality, and his dedication to conservation inspired countless people around the world. Although his life was cut tragically short, his legacy lives on through his family, his organisations, and his impact on popular culture. 

There was always something about the man. The effortless grace with which he moved around animals, the sparkle in his eyes when talking about them and his endless enthusiasm towards wildlife. There was always a kindness to him that instantly spoke to the millions of lives he touched. Including mine.