'Greatest wildlife warrior': Bindi Irwin marks 'Steve Irwin Day' with throwback video to honor late dad
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA: Bindi Irwin has paid a heartwarming tribute to her late father Steve Irwin. November 15 marks 'Steve Irwin Day' in Australia, a yearly celebration honoring the life and contributions of the conservationist known throughout the world as the 'Crocodile Hunter'.
The 'Crikey! It’s the Irwins' star, 24, shared old footage on Instagram of Steve talking about what wildlife conservation means to him. Bindi captioned the video saying, "Nov 15, Steve Irwin Day. Join us by wearing your best khaki and celebrating the greatest Wildlife Warrior the world has ever known."
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"Conservation is my whole life, my whole persona. What I want to be remembered for," Steve says in the old interview.
Bindi earlier paid a heartfelt tribute to Steve on his birthday on February 22. She penned a sentimental message to her late father along with a sweet throwback snapshot. In the photo, Bindi and Steve smile as she holds a mini flashlight and Steve bravely dangles a snake in front of them. "Happy Birthday to the greatest dad and Wildlife Warrior," Bindi captioned the picture, sharing how she planned to commemorate the special day. "Today I'll watch 'The Crocodile Hunter' with Grace Warrior and share stories about her incredible Grandpa Crocodile." She concluded, "I love you with all my heart. Your legacy lives on."
Last year, Steve's son, Robert, along with Bindi, posted touching Instagram tributes to their late dad to mark the international event on November 15, commemorating the adored Animal Planet star. "Today is #SteveIrwinDay. Thinking a lot about my Dad today and the impact that he made on our planet, inspiring an entire generation," Robert, 18, wrote on Instagram with a throwback photo of himself, Steve and Bindi. He continued, "I also think about what a truly amazing dad he was. Through a lifetime captured on camera and stories from my family and those who knew him best, I’m able to remember the special times with dad. I still look up to him every day and while I miss him so much, it means the world to me and my family that each year we can have a day for the world to celebrate what he stood for."
Steve was stung by a stingray in the chest and died on September 4, 2006, at the age of 44, while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef. At the time, Bindi was only 8 years old. His widowed spouse Terri, son Robert, daughter Bindi, and son-in-law Chandler Powell have carried on his conservation work at Australia Zoo, continuing his legacy.