Terri Irwin Story - Founder of Australia Zoo
Terri Irwin is a naturalist, author and the founder/owner of the Australia Zoo at Beerwah, Australia. She co-starred with her husband Late Steve Irwin in television nature documentary series the Crocodile Hunter and their spin off series Croc Files and The Crocodile Hunter Diaries. Terri currently hosts the Planet’s Best with Terri and Bindi on Animal Planet network.
Terri Irwin With Russell Crowe and Naomi Watts
Childhood
Terri was born on July 20 1964 in Eugene, Oregon USA. Her family was involved in the trucking business and her father frequently brought home wounded animals. This bond with animals inspired her to take a pledge to save and restore wild animals.
Early Career
During her early twenties, Raines set-up a rehabilitation centre named Cougar Country, which re-located confined creatures like, foxes and bobcats back into the feral. She also worked as a veterinary technician in a local emergency veterinary hospital. She helped her father run his business. Raines had 15 dogs, cats and birds of her own.
Heights
Terri Irwin with Oprah Winfrey
Terri did her first documentary film with Steve in 1992. It was shot by John Stainton and was the first episode of The Crocodile Hunter. Terri in partnertship with Steve Irwin released their feature film Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course in 2002.
On September 2006, Terri set-up the Australian memorial service at the Australian Zoo. In 2014, she was nominated for Australian of the Year.
Irwin supports the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. She was invited to the Royal Albert Hall to present a Special Recognition Award to Sir David Attenborough at the British National Television Awards in 2006. In the same year, Terri was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services concerning Wildlife Conservation and Tourism. She is a recipient of the 2006 Ernst and Young Northern Area Social capitalist of the Year. She was nominated for the Telstra Business Women’s reward in 2007. Terri has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Queensland.
She currently hosts the Planet’s Best with Terri and Bindi on Animal Planet network.
Personal Life
Terri married Steve Irwin in 1992. The couple worked on television documentaries, until Steve’s death in 2006. Irwin has two children; Bindi Sue Irwin and Robert Clarence Irwin.
Recognition
Terri was made a Member of the “Order of Australia for services” concerning Wildlife Conservation and Tourism. She is a recipient of the 2006 Ernst and Young Northern Area Social capitalist of the Year. Terri was nominated for the Telstra Business Women’s reward in 2007. Terri has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Queensland. In 2014, she was nominated for Australian of the Year.
Awards
- 2006
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Ernst and Young Northern Area Social Capitalist of the Year
