Bindi Irwin, the daughter of the late Steve Irwin, has followed in her father’s footsteps and has become a wildlife conservationist and television personality. Though she was only eight years old at the time of her father’s death in 2006, Bindi has managed to keep his legacy alive through her own work as well as through her family’s continued involvement in conservation efforts.
Born on July 24, 1998, in Queensland, Australia, Bindi was named after a saltwater crocodile her parents encountered while filming a documentary. She spent much of her childhood at the family’s wildlife reserve, which has since become an animal sanctuary and tourist attraction, where she was homeschooled and immersed in her parents’ love of nature.
Following her father’s death, Bindi continued to work on the wildlife reserve with her mother, Terri, and her younger brother, Robert, helping to care for and handle animals. She also began to pursue a career in entertainment, appearing in films and television shows such as Return to Nim’s Island and Bindi’s Bootcamp, which aired on Discovery Kids.
In addition to her acting work, Bindi also became an advocate for wildlife conservation, following in the footsteps of her father, known as “The Crocodile Hunter.” She has appeared in public service announcements promoting animal welfare, and has even spoken at the United Nations on behalf of conservation efforts.
Bindi’s dedication to wildlife conservation is evident in many of the projects she has undertaken. In 2014, she was awarded the Australian Geographic Society’s Young Conservationist of the Year award for her work with the Australian Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital. She has also worked to promote the protection of sea turtles and has helped to raise awareness about the plight of African elephants and rhinoceroses, which are threatened by poachers.
Bindi’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by the public, who have praised her for her dedication to protecting animals and for her infectious enthusiasm. She has also been recognized by the media, including People Magazine, which named her one of the 25 Most Intriguing People of 2007, and Time Magazine, which recognized her as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2019.
Beyond her conservation work, Bindi has also become known for her role as a television personality. In 2015, she won the 21st season of Dancing With the Stars, and she has continued to appear on the show as a guest performer. She has also hosted her own television programs, including Bindi’s Big Adventure and Crikey! It’s the Irwins, which chronicles the lives of her and her family as they run the Australian Zoo.
Despite her success, Bindi has remained grounded and dedicated to continuing her father’s legacy. In an interview with The Guardian in 2020, she said, “What’s the point of doing all these exciting things if you don’t have a purpose behind it?” For Bindi, that purpose is to educate people about the importance of conservation and to continue her father’s work of protecting wildlife.
Bindi Irwin has proven herself to be a worthy successor to her father, Steve Irwin, in both her dedication to wildlife conservation and her success as a television personality. By continuing to spread the message of conservation and by inspiring others to get involved, she is ensuring that her father’s legacy will live on for generations to come.