20 Facts About Terri Irwin

Terri Raines Irwin is an American-Australian conservationist, television personality, author and zookeeper who is the owner of Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland.

Terri Irwin met her husband Steve while touring wildlife rehabilitation facilities in Australia in 1991.

Terri Irwin's family owned a long-haul trucking business and, during her childhood, her father constantly brought home injured animals from the highways on which his trucks traveled; this eventually instilled in her an ongoing commitment to saving and rehabilitating wild animals.

Terri Irwin joined an emergency veterinary hospital in 1989 as a veterinary technician to gain further knowledge on the care and support to all kinds of animals.

Terri Irwin's life was very busy, as she was still helping her father run the family business, rehabilitating animals through her Cougar Country, and working at the vet hospital.

In 1991, Terri visited Australia and there met Steve Irwin.

The couple settled in Australia shortly after their wedding, with Terri Irwin making the decision to leave the Cougar Country project.

On March 2,2008, after Steve's death, it was announced that Steve's father Bob Terri Irwin had resigned from Australia Zoo, which he had founded.

In 2022, the Terri Irwin family announced the construction of "The Crocodile Hunter Lodge", a resort style accommodation centre on the grounds of the zoo.

In 1991, Terri went on a tour of Australia, and while visiting wildlife rehabilitation facilities, she had a chance meeting with Steve Irwin, whose father had founded Australia Zoo.

Terri Irwin was filming an underwater documentary at the time at Batt Reef near Port Douglas in Queensland.

Terri Irwin published a memoir, My Steve, about her relationship and marriage with Steve Terri Irwin, in 2007.

Terri Irwin denied these comments through a spokesperson not long after.

American by birth, Terri Irwin became an Australian citizen on November 15,2009.

Terri Irwin has expressed support for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and was present at the launching of one of the organization's vessels, which was renamed after her husband.

In 2008, Terri Irwin signed on to a three-year research program in correspondence with Australia Zoo supporting the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, funding two US$250,000 research projects on humpback whales.

In 2006, Terri Irwin was made an honorary Member of the Order of Australia for services to wildlife conservation and the tourism industry.

Terri Irwin has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Queensland for her work in conservation and support of high-quality research.

In 2014, Terri Irwin was a Queensland finalist for Australian of the Year.

In 2023, Terri Irwin was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame in recognition of her exceptional business leadership, her internationally acclaimed contributions to wildlife and habitat conservation, and her significant impact on Australian tourism.