Terri Irwin on what it means to be Australian

“In 2009, on Steve Irwin Day, I became an Australian citizen. For me, being an Australian means protecting the beauty and life within this great country for our children,” writes Terri Irwin. “I promised Steve I would.”

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Today is Australia Day — a day that gives us all the chance to reflect.

Some Australians have a history that dates back tens of thousands of years. Some have ancestors who came here without a choice. Others were born here after their families immigrated.

Many people, like myself, stayed for love.

I first met Steve in October 1991. I was visiting a small roadside wildlife park on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast when I encountered this man telling all of us about crocodiles.

He was actually in the enclosure with one of the giant saurians, explaining how they function in the wild. After he calmly fed the croc, which was lunging from the water’s edge, he described what incredible animals they really were.

Terri Irwin with husband Steve and daughter Bindi during a photocall at London Zoo to promote Steve and Terri's movie The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course in 2002. (Picture: Supplied)

I had no idea that saltwater crocodiles go through courtship and show affection to each other. I didn’t know that mother crocodiles were so loving and protective of their babies. And I didn’t realise they were such easy predators for humans to avoid.

After Steve and I married, we dedicated our lives to wildlife conservation. This included protecting endangered species around the world, but our hearts belonged to Australia.

In 1992 we began filming a documentary series called The Crocodile Hunter. We also expanded Australia Zoo. And we conducted extensive research on Australia’s largest apex predator, the saltwater crocodile.

I continued to learn about our history with wildlife here in Australia.

Terri with kids Robert and Bindi at the Australia Zoo. (Picture: Supplied)

We are home to some amazing animals: the top 11 most venomous snakes in the world, the largest reptile on the planet (the saltwater crocodile), and the Earth’s only two monotremes (egg-laying mammals), the echidna and the platypus.

Historically, we don’t have an amazing track record. We have seen more species of mammals become extinct in Australia than any other country in the world.

And yet from a tourism point of view, 70 per cent of our visitation from other countries occurs specifically because people want to experience our wildlife. From kookaburras to koalas, we have the wildlife and wild places that are on everyone’s bucket list.

When Steve had his accident so suddenly and unexpectedly 12 years ago, my mission didn’t change. My desire to protect our unique wildlife has continued to be as much about who I am as what I do.

Terri Irwin’s column features is in this Sunday’s Stellar.

In 2009, on Steve Irwin Day, I became an Australian citizen. I felt it was important to demonstrate my love and loyalty to this beautiful country, which I now call home.

As I continue my dedication to conservation, I have found it sometimes means taking a stand to do the right thing.

Just before Christmas, the Queensland government passed legislation to allow crocodile eggs to be removed from the wild to go into croc farms so that baby crocodiles could be hatched, grown, and killed for their meat and skins.

The effect of upsetting the balance of this predator’s population will have a devastating trophic cascade result for all wildlife, particularly the fishing and crabbing industries.

For me, being an Australian means loving this incredibly lucky country until my last breath. It means protecting the beauty and life within Australia so I can leave it just a bit better for my children.

I promised Steve I would.

Dr Terri Irwin AM is owner of Australia Zoo.

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