Because when they strike it can be that quick that if they're within range, you're dead, you're dead in your tracks. And his head weighs more than my body so it's WHACK!
Crikey means gee whiz, wow!
Crikey, mate. You're far safer dealing with crocodiles and western diamondback rattlesnakes than the executives and the producers and all those sharks in the big MGM building.
Every cent we earn from Crocodile Hunter goes straight back into conservation. Every single cent.
Herein lies our problem. If we level that much land to grow rice and whatever, then no other animal could live there except for some insect pest species. Which is very unfortunate.
I am optimistic globally. So many scientists are working frantically on the reparation of our planet.
I believe our biggest issue is the same biggest issue that the whole world is facing, and that's habitat destruction.
I believe sustainable use is the greatest propaganda in wildlife conservation at the moment.
I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message.
I bled a lot. I got hit across the face. We couldn't film for seven days. I got hit, whacked, underwater, across the face. I finished the shot, got into the boat and blood started coming out.
I get called an adrenaline junkie every other minute, and I'm just fine with that.
I have no fear of losing my life - if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it.
I sincerely believe that there's room for cutting down trees for forestry and grazing, so as we all get to eat. Everyone has to compromise.
I'm a proud Australian, a very, very proud Australian.
I've probably saved thousands of peoples' lives with my educational message on snake bites, how to get in around venomous anything.
My belief is that what comes across on the television is a capture of my enthusiasm and my passion for wildlife.
My dad taught me from my youngest childhood memories through these connections with Aboriginal and tribal people that you must always protect people's sacred status, regardless of the pest.
My field is with apex predators, hence your crocodiles, your snakes, your spiders.
No matter where you go and what you do in America, you turn the tele on and you're confronted with violence.
No, snakes are no problem. I'd go to any country, anywhere, any snakes, not a problem.
See, I've always seen Jacques Cousteau as a hero, mate. He's a legend - like my dad, just a legend. And so what he did for conservation in the '60s through the '70s was just phenomenal.
Sharks, I've been self-trained as well, and crocodiles, naturally. I've been catching them since I was nine. No problem.
Since I was a boy, from this house, I was out rescuing crocodiles and snakes. My mum and dad were very passionate about that and, I was lucky enough to go along.
Snakes are just very instinctive to me. I've been playing with snakes since before I could walk. It doesn't matter where or what it is, from the biggest to the most venomous.
So fear helps me from making mistakes, but I make lot of mistakes.
So now what happens is the cameras follow me around and capture exactly what I've been doing since I was a boy. Only now we have a team of, you know, like 73 of us, and it's gone beyond that.
So, my tactic with conservation of apex predators is to get people excited and take them to where they live.
Take the crocodile, for example, my favorite animal. There are 23 species. Seventeen of those species are rare or endangered. They're on the way out, no matter what anyone does or says, you know.
That might have a lot to do with it, but you know, I probably don't show fear, but I suffer from fear like everyone else.
The first crocodile I ever caught was at nine years of age, and it was a rescue.
The only animals I'm not comfortable with are parrots, but I'm learning as I go. I'm getting better and better at 'em. I really am.
There's a lot of research behind the scenes that you don't get to see, but I have an instinct that my dad nurtured from when I was born. I was very lucky then.
We've evolved from sitting back on our tripods and shooting wildlife films like they have been shot historically, which doesn't work for us.
When I talk to the camera, mate, it's not like I'm talking to the camera, I'm talking to you because I want to whip you around and plunk you right there with me.
Where I live if someone gives you a hug it's from the heart.
Yeah, for some reason parrots have to bite me. That's their job. I don't know why that is. They've nearly torn my nose off. I've had some really bad parrot bites.
Yeah, I think it's an absolute disaster that Australia, the government, allowed kangaroo culling.
Yeah, I'm a thrill seeker, but crikey, education's the most important thing.
You know, I'm Australian, and we have got the worst sense of humor. We are cruel to each other.
You know, you can touch a stick of dynamite, but if you touch a venomous snake it'll turn around and bite you and kill you so fast it's not even funny.
In February 2007, a portrait of Steve was hung in the National Portrait Gallery in Australia, ironically replacing portrait of Germaine Greer who ridiculed him after his death.
Steve’s last documentary, Ocean’s Deadliest makes no mention of his death, until the final show where a still photo shows Steve smiling and the words “In Memory of Steve Irwin” appear. Following the documentary, a tribute show titled Crikey! What an Adventure is shown. Both programs will premiere in Australia on January 29th, 2007.
The documentary that Steve was working on when he died, Ocean's Deadliest, will premiere in the US on January 21, 2007 simultaneously on the Animal Planet and Discovery channels. A separate tribute program, put together by Steve's manager and friend John Stainton, will follow Ocean's Deadliest.
The Irwin family and Australia Zoo have approved a Steve Irwin action figure to be made by ‘Wild Republic’. It will be unveiled at the International Toy Fair in New York from February 11 to 14, 2007 and spout out some of his catch-phrases.
These are some of the people who made a speech at Steve's Memorial service: Steve's 8 year old daughter Bindi Sue Irwin, who said "She would never want her daddy's passion to end, and she would help endangered wildlife just like he did". Steve's father Bob Irwin, who said that "He didn't want us to grieve for Steve but for all the animals who lost their best friend" Prime Minister John Howard, who addressed Terri Irwin telling her "that 20 million pairs of Australian arms was reaching out to embrace her this morning.'' Steve's best friend and "Australia Zoo" director, Wes Mannion, who remembered old times with Steve. Steve's producer and long-time friend John Stainton, talked about there long time friendship during a curse of "some odd 20 years." Clark Bunting, executive vice president of Discovery Networks, Russell Crowe, Cameron Diaz, Larry King and Kevin Costner all made a speech via satellite. Further more John Williamson sung True Blue, which was Steve's favourite song. Terri Irwin attended the service but never spoke. The memorial service had been put together by John Stainton.
Steve Irwin has written 16 scientific papers on reptiles.
Steve began running the "Australia Zoo" in 1991. That was the same year he made his first appearance in a television special about reptiles and wildlife.
Steve was a big fan of the Australian rules football team Essendon Bombers and also trained in the martial arts system of Gaidojutsu.
Steve almost faced charges of child endangerment in early January 2004 for doing a crocodile demonstration while holding his one-month-old son Bob in one arm and feeding a 13-foot crocodile with the other.
Steve has a species of turtle named after him - Elseya Irwini.
At the time of his death, Steve was taping a segment for a series entitled: Ocean's Deadliest.
For some time he was sponsored by Toyota, in keeping with his rugged outback image.
Steve Irwin, and his wife, Terri Irwin own the Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland.
Steve loved martial arts and trained in the style of Gaidojutsu. His trainer was Greg Jackson.
Steve Irwin was killed on September 4, 2006, when he was fatally pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while diving off Queensland, Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
Steve Irwin was awarded the title "2004 Queensland Australian of the Year."
Steve Irwin and his dad can boast that every crocodile at the Australia Zoo (numbering over 150) was either caught with their own hands, or bred and raised at the zoo.
His outspoken persona became so popular that he won a cameo role in a Hollywood movie, "Dr Dolittle 2," starring US comic actor Eddie Murphy.
Steve Irwin joined the long list of celebrities lampooned by South Park. It happened in the South Park episode 31 entitled "Prehistoric Ice Man".
He claimed to have never been bitten by a venomous snake.
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