Image Source: Courier Mail
“The only thing that could ever keep him away from the animals he loves are the people he loves even more.” – Terri Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter: The Incredible Life and Adventures of Steve and Terri Irwin).
Probably one of Steve’s proudest legacy, his family has stayed united through his death, and instead of mourning, they choose to celebrate his life. In November of 2013, after 7 years of legal battle, Bindi and Robert was able to secure the permanent protection of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, from mining by the Queensland State Government. Even though Robert was only 3 years old when his father passed away, his mother and sister never fail to remind him of how great his father was, and how much he loved nature.
It could very well be the many memories Bindi and Robert shared with their father when they were younger that contributed to their strong environmental identity. Confident in his reptile handling skill, Steve has expose his children to his scaly friends from a very young age, albeit there were controversies regarding his parenting approach. The safe and environment Steve gave his children to interact with the wild has no doubt been a major contributing factor to their attachment to nature.
11 years after his death, the effect of Steve Irwin’s dedication to wildlife conservation is still tangible through his family, and it is truly indisputable that the Irwin family is a gift to the wildlife conservation community in Australia.