Steve Irwin

Stephen Robert "Steve" Irwin (22 February 1962 – 4 September 2006), nicknamed the "Crocodile Hunter", was a renowned Australian conservationist, wildlife expert and television personality. With his wife, Terri Irwin, he co-hosted the internationally broadcast wildlife documentary series The Crocodile Hunter, and his enthusiastic, humorous, hands-on approach to wild animals made him famous around the world.

Irwin grew up at the reptile park run by his parents, developing a deep love of wildlife, crocodiles above all, along with extensive experience handling animals in the wild. As an adult he took over the family business and built it into the well-known Australia Zoo, and he founded the conservation organisation Wildlife Warriors Worldwide, which focuses on habitat protection and public education about the environment.

On 4 September 2006, while filming an underwater documentary on the Great Barrier Reef, Irwin was killed when a stingray's venomous barb pierced his heart. He was 44. His death prompted an outpouring of grief from wildlife lovers worldwide and from across Australia, and the Australian government and public have paid tribute to his lifelong contribution to nature conservation and environmental education around the world.