Bob Irwin's extraordinary life as a wildlife pioneer, father to wildlife warrior Steve and founder of Australia Zoo, told in his own words.
'When the world lost Steve, the animals lost the best friend they ever had, and so did I. But he's still here with me and I knowing that means that I am able to gain strength from him, and harness the same passion and drive that he and I both had together. There are so many people who have been inspired and are still being inspired by Steve Irwin and that makes me feel really, really proud.' - Bob Irwin
Bob Irwin grew up in the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria, Australia, where his passion for wildlife and its environment was born. A near-death experience while working as a plumber made Bob realise he needed to follow his dreams, so he and his wife Lyn uprooted their young family and moved to Queensland where they opened a Reptile and Fauna Park on the Sunshine Coast.
Bob's passion for reptiles grew with his ever expanding collection and he soon became involved with various venom labs, for which he would catch the snakes that were later milked for the production of life-saving anti-venom. Growing up within the Beerwah Reptile & Wildlife Park, and with Lyn caring for orphaned wildlife at home, passion for the environment and all animals was a way of life for the Irwin children. This unique upbringing had a profound impact on his son Steve, who followed in his father's footsteps and along the way became famous around the world as educator and wildlife warrior, the Crocodile Hunter.
Bob nearly didn't survive the sudden death of his adored wife Lynn, and could have gone under again when a routine filming session for Steve's TV show ended in his tragic death in 2006 at the age of 44. In each instance was the natural world and the animals within it which helped Bob to keep going, and since then he has continued to fight for his beloved Steve's legacy of protecting the wildlife, environment and planet on which our own survival depends.
Entertaining, moving, impassioned and inspiring, The Last Crocodile Hunter goes to the heart and soul of a great Australian character, father and fighter, and raises issues that are crucial to us all.
About the Author
Bob Irwin is a celebrated Australian naturalist, animal conservationist, and a pioneering herpetologist who is also famous for his conservation and husbandry work with apex predators and reptiles. He was the original founder of Australia Zoo, which he and his wife opened as the small, family run Beerwah Reptile Park in 1973, with the intention of increasing public knowledge of native wildlife.
Bob and his late son Steve, went on to implement and manage a wide variety of research projects into Australian reptiles in collaboration with various universities and government departments. This work has had a major influence on wildlife management today.
Bob's work, and the Irwin legacy, is recognised for helping to educate millions of people about the importance of nature conservation. Bob is continuing his and Steve's legacy though the Bob Irwin Wildlife & Conservation Foundation, giving a voice to Australian wildlife and educating the next generation of grassroots conservationists through research, advocacy and education.
Amanda French is a Queensland based media and communications specialist across various wildlife causes. Amanda has worked both in the field and remotely in developing campaigns and providing support to international wildlife projects such as Bona the Sumatran elephant in Indonesia and Australian not-for-profit organisations Free the Bears Fund and Quoin Island Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.
Amanda also works with Australian naturalist Bob Irwin to provide support to many Australian wildlife organisations through Bob's public advocacy. Together they have clocked up more than 20,000 kilometres on the road to tell their stories and inspire others.
Amanda's work within the wildlife arena has been told on ABC's Australian Story in March 2013 and again in May 2015.
