History of Steve Irwin in Timeline

Steve Irwin, "the Crocodile Hunter," was an influential Australian zookeeper, conservationist, and television personality. He gained worldwide fame through his enthusiastic wildlife documentaries, particularly 'The Crocodile Hunter', educating the public about animals and conservation. Irwin owned and operated Australia Zoo, which became a leading center for wildlife conservation and research. His energetic and passionate approach to wildlife resonated with audiences globally, contributing significantly to raising awareness about environmental issues. Irwin died in 2006 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming a documentary, leaving behind a lasting legacy in wildlife conservation and education.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Legacy & Impact

1939: Bob Irwin's birth

In 1939, Bob Irwin, Steve Irwin's father, was born. He was a plumber and amateur herpetologist.

February 1962: Stephen Robert Irwin's birth

In February 1962, Stephen Robert Irwin was born to Lynn and Bob Irwin in Upper Ferntree Gully, Melbourne. He developed an early interest in reptiles.

1970: Move to the Sunshine Coast

In 1970, Steve Irwin moved with his parents to the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, where he attended Landsborough State School and Caloundra State High School. His parents later started the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park.

1991: Meeting Terri Raines

In 1991, Steve Irwin met Terri Raines at Australia Zoo, where she was visiting wildlife rehabilitation facilities. They fell in love at first sight.

1991: Irwin takes over park management

In 1991, Steve Irwin took over the management of the family park.

June 1992: Marriage to Terri Raines

On 4 June 1992, Steve Irwin married Terri Raines in Eugene, Oregon.

1996: Debut of The Crocodile Hunter

In 1996, The Crocodile Hunter series, filmed during Steve Irwin's honeymoon, debuted on Australian TV.

1997: Discovery of Irwin's Turtle

In 1997, Steve Irwin, while on a fishing trip along the coast of Queensland with his father, discovered a new species of turtle. Herpetologist John Cann later named it Irwin's turtle (Elseya irwini) to honor Steve Irwin's discovery.

July 1998: Birth of Bindi Sue Irwin

On 24 July 1998, Steve and Terri Irwin's daughter, Bindi Sue Irwin, was born.

1998: Presentation of The Ten Deadliest Snakes in the World

In 1998, Steve Irwin presented The Ten Deadliest Snakes in the World, working with director Mark Strickson.

1998: Australia Zoo name change

In 1998, Steve Irwin renamed the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park to Australia Zoo.

1999: Watching the Rugby World Cup Final

In 1999, a behind-the-scenes episode of The Crocodile Hunter showed Steve Irwin and his crew watching the Wallabies defeat France in the Rugby World Cup Final.

February 2000: Death of Lyn Irwin

On 11 February 2000, Steve Irwin's mother, Lyn Irwin, died in a car accident.

2000: Croc Week Marathon Begins

In 2000, Animal Planet created the annual Croc Week marathon which lasted every year in the middle of June until 2007.

2000: FedEx Commercial

In 2000, Steve Irwin appeared in a FedEx commercial.

2000: Creation of the Lyn Irwin Memorial Fund

In 2000, Steve Irwin helped found the Lyn Irwin Memorial Fund, named in memory of his mother.

2000: Death of Lynn Irwin

In 2000, Steve Irwin's mother, Lynn Irwin, passed away.

2001: Cameo role in Dr. Dolittle 2

In 2001, Steve Irwin had a cameo role in the movie Dr. Dolittle 2.

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2001: Awarded Centenary Medal

In 2001, Steve Irwin was awarded the Centenary Medal by the Australian government in recognition of his 'service to global conservation and to Australian tourism.'

2002: Appearance in Wiggly Safari

In 2002, Steve Irwin and his family appeared in The Wiggles' video/DVD release, Wiggly Safari, filmed at Australia Zoo.

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2002: Starring role in The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course

In 2002, Steve Irwin starred in The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, which he also performed stunts in. The film won the Best Family Feature Film award for a comedy film at the Young Artist Awards.

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2002: Australia Zoo voted top tourist attraction

In 2002, the Australia Zoo was voted Queensland's top tourist attraction.

November 2003: Search for missing scuba divers

In November 2003, while filming off the coast of Baja California, Steve Irwin and his crew suspended operations to aid in the search for two missing scuba divers. Irwin's team helped locate one of the divers, Scott Jones, alive. The other diver, Katie Vrooman, was found dead.

December 2003: Birth of Robert Clarence Irwin

On 1 December 2003, Steve and Terri Irwin's son, Robert Clarence Irwin, was born.

2003: Controversy over political ties and payments

In 2003, Steve Irwin faced scrutiny after questions arose regarding his acceptance of $175,000 of taxpayers' money for a television advertisement and his potential political affiliations. Irwin defended himself to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), asserting his role as a conservationist and stating he did not align with any political party. However, his remarks describing Australian Prime Minister John Howard as 'the greatest leader in the world' drew criticism from the media.

2003: Advertising Campaign for The Ghan

In 2003, Steve Irwin fronted an advertising campaign for The Ghan, a passenger train. A locomotive was named Steve Irwin as part of the campaign.

January 2004: Crocodile Feeding Incident

On 2 January 2004, Steve Irwin carried his one-month-old son, Robert, while hand-feeding a crocodile, sparking controversy and criticism. He later apologized for the incident.

June 2004: Allegations of Wildlife Disturbance

In June 2004, Steve Irwin faced allegations of disturbing wildlife, specifically whales, seals, and penguins, while filming an episode of "The Crocodile Hunter" titled "Ice Breaker" in Antarctica. Ultimately, the matter was closed without any charges being filed against him.

2004: Appointed ambassador for The Ghan

In 2004, Steve Irwin was appointed ambassador for The Ghan passenger train when the line was extended to Darwin.

2004: Recognized as Tourism Export of the Year and Queensland Australian of the Year

In 2004, Steve Irwin was recognized as Tourism Export of the Year. That same year, he was also named the 2004 Queensland Australian of the Year.

January 2006: Appearance at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion

In January 2006, as part of the United States' 'Australia Week' celebrations, Steve Irwin appeared at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California.

January 2006: Announcement of Bindi the Jungle Girl

In January 2006, during an interview on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Steve Irwin announced that Discovery Kids would be developing a show for his daughter, Bindi Sue Irwin, which later became the series Bindi the Jungle Girl.

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September 2006: Funeral and Memorial Service

In September 2006, Steve Irwin had a private funeral service on 9 September and was buried at Australia Zoo. A public memorial service was held on 30 September at the Crocoseum and was broadcast live.

September 2006: Death of Steve Irwin

In September 2006, Steve Irwin passed away after being injured by a stingray while filming a documentary.

September 2006: Steve Irwin's death

On 4 September 2006, Steve Irwin died from an injury caused by a stingray while filming an underwater documentary in the Great Barrier Reef. The event led to widespread grief and numerous dedications in his honor.

October 2006: Terri Irwin presents Lifetime Achievement Award to David Attenborough

In October 2006, after Steve Irwin's death, Terri Irwin presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Sir David Attenborough at the British National Television Awards, acknowledging Attenborough's influence on Steve's conservation efforts.

November 2006: Posthumous release of Happy Feet

In November 2006, the animated film "Happy Feet," featuring Steve Irwin's voice as Trev the elephant seal, was released posthumously. Irwin passed away during the film's post-production, and the movie was dedicated to his memory. Additionally, a previously uncompleted scene, showcasing Irwin voicing an albatross and essentially portraying himself, was restored for the DVD release.

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2006: Australian Rules football promotion in Los Angeles

In early 2006, Steve Irwin took part in an Australian Rules football promotion in Los Angeles as part of 'Australia Week'.

May 2007: Baby gorilla named after Irwin

In May 2007, the government of Rwanda announced its intention to name a baby gorilla after Steve Irwin as a tribute to his conservation work.

November 2007: Posthumous Adjunct Professorship

On November 14, 2007, Steve Irwin was posthumously awarded an adjunct professorship at the University of Queensland's School of Integrative Biology.

2007: Croc Week Marathon Ends

In 2007, Animal Planet ended the annual Croc Week marathon which began in 2000.

2007: Tribute episode and documentaries released

In 2007, a tribute episode of "The Crocodile Hunter" was created in Steve Irwin's honor, titled "Crikey! What an Adventure: An Intimate Look at the Life of Steve Irwin," featuring archive footage. Later that year, Bindi Irwin released the documentary "My Daddy, the Crocodile Hunter" in memory of her father.

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2007: Renaming of Sea Shepherd vessel

In 2007, after Steve Irwin's death, the environmental action group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society renamed its vessel MV Robert Hunter to MY Steve Irwin in his honor. Irwin had considered joining their Antarctic voyage to disrupt Japanese whaling before his death, and Terri Irwin endorsed the renaming.

2008: Steve Irwin's name on Sea Shepherd's vessel

In 2008, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society continued to operate with its vessel named MY Steve Irwin, honoring Steve Irwin's legacy.

2009: Induction into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame

In 2009, Steve Irwin was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame, recognized for his international entrepreneurship in both business and wildlife conservation, making substantial contributions to Queensland and enhancing its international reputation.

2009: Controversy over Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary naming

In 2009, Terri Irwin requested the government of Kerala in India to stop using Steve Irwin's name and images for the Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre at Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, as it had been done without her permission; the state government complied in mid-2009.

2009: Newly discovered land snail named after Steve Irwin

In 2009, a newly discovered Australian animal, a species of air-breathing land snail named Crikey steveirwini, was named in honor of Steve Irwin.

2015: Posthumous Recipient of Queensland Greats Awards

In 2015, Steve Irwin was posthumously honored as a recipient of the Queensland Greats Awards.

2017: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame announced

In 2017, it was announced that Steve Irwin would be posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

April 2018: Unveiling of Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

On April 26, 2018, Steve Irwin's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was unveiled, posthumously honoring his legacy.

2018: Archive footage used in "Crikey! It's the Irwins"

In 2018, archive footage of Steve Irwin began to be used in the television series "Crikey! It's the Irwins".

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February 2019: Google Doodle Commemorating Steve Irwin

On February 22, 2019, the 57th anniversary of Steve Irwin's birth, Google released a Google Doodle in the form of a slideshow commemorating him.

2020: Robert Irwin becomes tourism spokesperson

In 2020, Steve Irwin's son, Robert, became a spokesperson for Queensland's tourism board.

2022: Calls to feature Irwin on Australian currency

In 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, some Australians voiced support for featuring Steve Irwin on the nation's currency instead of King Charles III, with citizens initiating petitions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declined to comment, citing the timing as inappropriate.