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Wildlife Warriors

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Wildlife Warriors
Formation2002; 24 years ago (2002)
Founders
TypeInternational NGO
HeadquartersBeerwah, Queensland, Australia
Region served
Worldwide
Chair
Terri Irwin
Parent organization
Australia Zoo
Websitewildlifewarriors.org.au

Wildlife Warriors, originally called the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation, is an international non-profit organisation that aims to involve and educate the public in the protection of injured, threatened or endangered wildlife. Founded in 2002 by Steve and Terri Irwin, its mission statement is "to be the most effective wildlife conservation organisation in the world through the delivery of outstanding outcome-based projects and programs, inclusive of humanity."[1]

History

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In 1991, conservationist Steve Irwin took over the management of Australia Zoo from his parents, who founded the zoo in 1970.[2] He volunteered for the Queensland Government's East Coast Crocodile Management program beforehand, capturing over 100 crocodiles and relocating some of them at the family zoo.[2] He also helped to establish the International Crocodile Rescue, a unit within the zoo that rescued saltwater crocodiles that were threatened by human interference.[3]

After Steve married American naturalist Terri Raines in her home state of Oregon in June 1992, they received a telephone call concerning an abnormal crocodile in Far North Queensland.[4] Television producer John Stainton, a close friend of the Irwins, convinced them to let a film crew film their work.[4] They flew to the region to capture the reptile, but learned that it had been shot and killed by poachers upon arrival.[4] The Irwins were "devastated," but successfully tracked down the crocodile's mate.[4] Footage from the Irwins' impromptu honeymoon was later aired in Australia as a wildlife documentary television series titled The Crocodile Hunter (1996–2004).[5] It spawned a media franchise that was broadcast in over 130 countries and reached 500 million people worldwide.[6][7]

The Irwins established the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation in 2002 to use the earnings they made from The Crocodile Hunter and other prominent appearances to fund international wildlife conservation initiatives.[2] Australia Zoo serves as its major sponsor, covering all of the administrative costs and providing essential support when necessary.[8] The zoo also provided office spaces, consulting staff for various projects, and the opportunity to promote the organisation's work to visitors and patrons for fundraising purposes.[8] After its founding, the organisation was renamed to Wildlife Warriors; a term created by Steve to describe his work and philosophy.[9] Its logo features a human footprint surrounded by the pugmarks of five endangered species: the cassowary, the saltwater crocodile, the Asian elephant, the Ethiopian wolf and the Bornean orangutan.[10]

On 4 September 2006, Steve was killed by a stingray injury while filming an underwater documentary.[11] Over 30,000 international mourners offered donations to Wildlife Warriors.[12] Michael Hornby, its executive manager at the time, reported that donations exceeded A$2 million – enough to fund its animal hospital and international programs for six to nine months. Steve's public memorial service was made into a DVD, which was released across Australia on 14 October; all proceeds went towards Wildlife Warriors.[13] $1 from every sale of singer-songwriter John Williamson's compilation album of the same was donated to the organisation.[14] The Irwins' daughter, Bindi, committed 10 percent of the wages she earned from her television program Bindi the Jungle Girl (2007–2008) to Wildlife Warriors.[15][16]

Objectives

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  • To protect and enhance the natural environment
  • To provide information and education to the public and raise awareness of wildlife issues
  • To undertake biological research
  • To research, recommend and act in the protection of threatened or endangered species
  • To enter into cooperative arrangements with like-minded organizations

Projects

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  • The Australian Wildlife Hospital & Wildlife Rescue Unit, Australia
  • Elephant conservation, Asia
  • Tiger conservation, Sumatra
  • Rhino conservation, South Africa
  • Cheetah conservation, South Africa
  • Grey nurse shark research & conservation, Australia
  • Whale research, United States
  • Community Education (international)
  • Koala research, Qld, Australia
  • Crocodile research, Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, Qld, Australia

References

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  1. ↑ "Vision and Mission". Wildlife Warriors. Australia Zoo. Archived from the original on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "The Irwin Family". Australia Zoo. Archived from the original on 11 March 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  3. ↑ "International Crocodile Rescue – About". Australia Zoo. Archived from the original on 28 January 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Delany, Lisa (25 August 2026). "Steve and Terri Irwin's 'Wild' Honeymoon—and Their Enduring Love and Legacy". Parade. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  5. ↑ Collins, Glenn (5 September 2006). "Steve Irwin, Wildlife Master, Is Killed by a Stingray at 44". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 10 August 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  6. ↑ Platt, Richard (5 September 2006). "A natural presenter at one with nature". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 25 September 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  7. ↑ Lee, Sandra (18 June 2000). "Wild Thing". USA Weekend. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  8. 1 2 "Australia Zoo – Wildlife Warriors and the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital". Australia Zoo. Wildlife Warriors. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  9. ↑ King Murdoch, Anna (10 June 2003). "He's smart, by crikey". The Age. Archived from the original on 1 September 2007. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  10. ↑ Lichtman, Flora (21 February 2025). "Bindi Irwin Encourages Kids To Become 'Wildlife Warriors'". Science Friday. Archived from the original on 17 March 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  11. ↑ "'Crocoseum' tribute set for Irwin". BBC. 13 September 2006. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2006.
  12. ↑ "Irwin charity brace for donations". Northern Territory News. News.com.au. 19 September 2006. Archived from the original on 19 September 2006. Retrieved 29 August 2006 – via Australian Associated Press.
  13. ↑ "Bindi the face of new campaign". Nine.com.au. 15 October 2006. Archived from the original on 15 November 2006. Retrieved 15 October 2006 – via Australian Associated Press.
  14. ↑ "John Williamson's tribute to Steve Irwin". Now to Love. Are Media. 27 November 2006. Archived from the original on 12 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  15. ↑ "Steve knew Bindi would be a star". Queensland Newspapers. 26 May 2006. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008. Retrieved 26 May 2006.
  16. ↑ Lehmann, Megan (10 July 2007). "Million dollar baby". The Bulletin. pp. 30–35. Archived from the original on 11 September 2007. Retrieved 10 January 2008.
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