Steve Irwin's daughter, Bindi, shared a touching tribute to honour her dad on his birthday, along with a photo of him doing what he loved.
Irwin, who died in September 2006, would have turned 61 today (22 February), prompting many of his fans and loved ones to share posts in memory of the iconic Crocodile Hunter.
The conservationist was just 44 years old when he was pierced by a stingray barb and passed away, leaving behind his wife, Terri, and his two children, Robert and Bindi.
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Bindi, the eldest child, was only eight when she lost her dad, but she's previously praised her dad for being an 'incredible' parent and shared photos of the happy times they spent together before his death.
She shared another photo of the pair together today, when she took to Instagram to post a picture of her and her dad sharing their passion for animals as they inspected a lizard together.
Irwin, who wore a headtorch, could be seen gently holding the reptile and looking at the camera while a young Bindi looked at the creature with fascination.
Acknowledging how her dad's love for animals filtered into her own life, Bindi wrote: "Happy Birthday, Dad. Thank you for instilling a love for all species, courage to follow my heart and determination to make a difference in the world for wildlife and wild places.
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"Your legacy lives on and the world is forever changed because of your dedication to conservation. Mum, Robert and I love and miss you so much."
The family has continued Irwin's legacy with the Australia Zoo, which Irwin acquired as a small wildlife park in 1991 and grew into the zoo it is today.
Irwin also established the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, which rescues, rehabilitates and releases over 7000 native Australian animals every year.
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Bindi is now a parent herself after welcoming her daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, in March 2021 with her husband, Chandler Powell.
She named her daughter in honour of her family, explaining in a post: "Grace is named after my great-grandmother, and relatives in Chandler's family dating back to the 1700s.
"Her middle names, Warrior Irwin, are a tribute to my dad and his legacy as the most incredible Wildlife Warrior. Her last name is Powell and she already has such a kind soul just like her dad."
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Bindi's brother, Robert, also paid tribute to their dad today as he shared his own post on Instagram showing Irwin cradling baby Robert.
Alongside the image, he wrote simply: "Happy birthday, Dad."
Topics: Steve Irwin, Australia, Animals, Celebrity
Emily Brown