Steve Irwin Google Doodle: Legendary crocodile hunter celebrated

Celebrating the life and legacy of 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin 
Getty
Georgia Chambers22 February 2019

Today’s Google Doodle celebrates infamous crocodile enthusiast Steve Irwin on what would have been his 57th birthday.

The wildlife conservationist and television personality made his name whilst presenting the popular TV series The Crocodile Hunter.

Staying true to Irwin’s passion, the Google Doodle shows him exploring the outdoors, tending to crocs and kissing a snake.

Also featured in the animated Doodle is a portrait of him with his wife Terri and their two children.

Irwin died suddenly in 2003 when a barb from a stingray pierced his heart while he was shooting a documentary off the coast of Australia.

Here’s everything you need to know about Steve Irwin:

Where was Steve Irwin from?

Steve Irwin is being celebrated with a Google Doodle on what would have been his 57th birthday (Google )
Google

Irwin was born in Victoria, Australia in 1962.

His family shared a love of the outdoors and in 1970 moved to Queensland to open the Beerwah Reptile Park.

It was here that he encountered his first venomous snake at the age of six and learned to catch crocodiles at the age of nine.

Irwin eventually took over managing the park in 1991.

When did he appear on The Crocodile Hunter?

Steve Irwin with his wife Terri, son Robert and daughter Bindi
Getty

Shortly after his marriage to wife Terri in 1992, the pair took the unconventional route of filming a wildlife documentary in place of a traditional honeymoon.

The documentary proved a hit and was turned into the hugely popular TV series The Crocodile Hunter. Shown in more than 100 countries, it has been watched by over 500 million people.

Why is he being honoured with a Google Doodle?

As well as his showcasing his adventurous side in The Crocodile Hunter, Irwin will also be remembered for his work promoting wildlife conservation.

He even discovered a new species of snapping turtle, which was named Elseya irwini in his honour.

He and Terri worked hard to expand the family park, renaming it ‘Australia Zoo’ in 1998 which yielded the motto “conservation through exciting education.”

Steve Irwin honoured posthumously on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

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In 2001, Irwin was awarded the Centenary Medal for a lifetime of service by the Australian government.

Irwin left quite the legacy and last year - 15 years after his death - he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Irwin’s wife Terri, who worked with Google on the Doodle project dedicated to him, said: “Today we continue his mission by working to overturn recent legislation in Queensland which allows crocodile egg harvesting from vulnerable crocs in the wild to support the commercial leather trade. Steve’s legacy will definitely live on.”

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