Steve Irwin

Stephen Robert Irwin, also known as Steve Irwin, is known all over the world as a naturalist and television personality. He spent his life preserving the environment, protecting animals, and helping those in need. Steve was, and still is, one of the most influential environmentalists of his time.

Steve Irwin was born on February 22, 1962 in Essendon, Victoria, Australia. Irwin was the only child of Bob and Lyn Irwin. Bob was a herpetologist and Lyn was a wildlife rehabilitator. It was because of his parents' occupations that Steve was constantly surrounded by reptiles throughout his childhood. He was quite adventurous and loved working with the animals. While he was growing up his parents founded the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/steve_irwin). This allowed Steve to become deeply involved with the care, maintenance, and feeding of the park's animals. At the age of six Irwin received a twelve-foot long scrub python, and three years later he wrestled his first crocodile (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia).

Steve attended high school at Caloundra State High School in Australia. After graduating in 1979 he did not pursue any secondary education. Irwin's humanitarianism and environmentalism was influenced more so by his home life rather than his education. As a young adult Steve Irwin worked as a crocodile trapper. He decided to follow in his father's footsteps and became a volunteer for the Queensland Government's East Coast Crocodile Management Program. In 1992 he married his first and only wife, Terri. Together they had two children, Bindi Sue Irwin and Robert (Bob) Clarence Irwin. After marrying, he and Terri took over the Reptile and Fauna Park for his parents and then renamed it the Australia Zoo in 1992 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/steve_irwin).

Stephen Irwin grew up with animals which caused his to become passionate toward both animal and human life. To help other, animals included, he created wildlife organizations such as Wildlife Warriors, created television shows to inform the public about animals, and purchased large tracts of land around the world to "act like national parks". Irwin also worked with programs such as The Red Cross, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Leukemia Foundation, and Tsunami Appeal (http://www.crocodilehunter.com.au). In society Irwin has made a tremendous impact. His television shows and the Australia Zoo have taught people to be more careful when it comes to the environment and both human and animal populations. Because of these selfless efforts made by Steve Irwin he has been awarded, honored and memorialized worldwide for his work. In 2001, Steve was awarded the Centenary Medal. This was given to him by the Australian government for making a contribution to Australian society. He was awarded adjunct professor at the University of Queensland's School of Integrative Biology shortly before his death, as well as another professorship posthumously by the University of Queensland on November 14, 2007. Following his death in 2006 the Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre in the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary was named in Steve's honor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/steve_irwin). Many people were against what Irwin was doing, including the organization called People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, also known as P.E.T.A. He was often viewed as a living version Atari's Pitfall Harry rather than a trained wildlife professional (Steve Irwin 308). The Vice-President of P.E.T.A. was quoted as saying "it was no shock at all the Steve Irwin should