Steve was as entirely devoted to his children as he was to his park and conservation mission, having once said that his daughter was "the reason was put on this Earth." He instilled his children with his love for wildlife and taught them to treat every living being with kindness and hoped that if he were to be remembered for anything, it would be for being a good father. Their vision was to create the world's best zoo, echoing the message of "Conservation through Exciting Education." The couple also had two children together - Bindi Sue Irwin in 1998 (named after his favourite saltwater crocodile, Bindi, and his beloved dog, Sui) and Robert Clarence Irwin in 2003 (named after his father). Meanwhile, Steve and Terri continued to work on expanding and improving the park, which they renamed to Australia Zoo in 1998. Steve wanted to be remembered the most for being a good dad. Steve made an impression on the entire globe with his incredibly enthusiastic presenting style, his true blue Aussie accent, trademark khaki outfits and catchphrase that lives on to this day - "Crikey!" Steve would also go on to make other appearances in film and television cameos and talk shows, cementing the natural-born communicator as a world-famous voice for all creatures great and small. The show, hosted by Steve and Terri, became an international smash hit. Thus, The Crocodile Hunter television show was born. For their rather unusual honeymoon, the couple went straight back to work relocating problem crocodiles in far north Queensland, filming a documentary while doing so. The couple both agree that it was love at first sight and the two were married just four months later in Terri's home town of Eugene, Oregon. The young woman was visiting wildlife rehabilitation facilities in Australia when she met Steve at his zoo. Only two days later, Steve met an American tourist and naturalist named Terri Raines. In 1991, at just 29 years old, Steve Irwin took over the management of the park from his parents. Steve relocated many of the crocodiles to his family's own park and developed techniques for the capture and management of crocodiles that continue to be utilised to this day. Steve would go on to volunteer for Queensland's East Coast Crocodile Management program, working in remote, far north Queensland to catch and relocate over 100 problem crocodiles alongside his dog, Sui. His parents' park, renamed to the "Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park" by 1980, was not only Steve's home, but his paradise, where he spent his days working alongside his best friend, Wes Mannion, for the rest of his life. At age nine, Steve was catching his first crocodiles under the supervision of his father. In 1968, when other six-year-old boys were receiving matchbox cars for their birthdays, the future crocodile hunter was delighted to receive a four metre long scrub python. Steve Irwin had a love of reptiles from a young age. He described his father as a wildlife expert with a particular interest in herpetology, the zoological branch relating to amphibians and reptiles, while his mother was a wildlife rehabilitator. Steve was heavily involved in life around the park, growing up around the reptiles, regularly feeding animals, performing care and maintenance duties and learning from his parents along the way. In 1970, the family moved to Queensland, where Steve's parents founded a small animal sanctuary - the Beerwah Reptile Park. The family appeared as any other from the outside, but an all-consuming passion for the rehabilitation and rescue of local wildlife ran deep. The couple also had two other daughters, Joy and Mandy. On February 22nd, 1962, maternity nurse Lyn and plumber Bob Irwin gave birth to their only son, Stephen Robert Irwin, in Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria. On this World Wildlife Day, we look back at the life of the most popular animal hero Australia has ever produced. From his zoo shows to his TV shows, he dedicated his life to the conversation, rehabilitation and protection of the animals he loved so much. As the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin delighted, shocked and wowed millions.
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