Never-before-seen photos of Steve Irwin have emerged showing the Crocodile Hunter at 27, with a mullet and cigarette, as he wrestled a crocodile in northern Queensland.
The black-and-white images, shared by Rellie May Photography, were taken in Dalbeg in 1989 and show the wildlife conservationist wearing his familiar khaki shirt and shorts while working in the mud with local residents.
The photographs have also drawn attention to the strong resemblance between Irwin and his son Robert, now 22. In one image, the younger Irwin’s facial features appear strikingly similar to those of his father.
Rellie May Photography said the pictures were being released to mark the 20th anniversary of Steve Irwin’s death.
“Today on the 20 year anniversary of Steve Irwin’s death we decided we would share a few of the scarce photos we have of the time Steve spent catching crocs in Dalbeg North Qld,” the caption said.
The crocodile pictured alongside Irwin was known as Bogie and was caught near the junction of the Burdekin and Bogie rivers. The post said people travelled from Ayr to see the animal, which was described as rarely seen at the time.
It added that several local people pictured with Irwin had since died, recalling stories shared at the Dalbeg Inn and describing the conservationist as “the best talker ever”.
Terri Irwin remembers her husband
The images were shared as Irwin’s widow, Terri, reflected on the 20th anniversary of his death in an Instagram post.
“After 20 years, grief still walks with me like my shadow,” she wrote.
Terri said that she, Bindi and Robert had continued Steve’s work through Australia Zoo and their wildlife conservation efforts.
Steve Irwin died aged 44 on September 4, 2006, after being struck in the heart by a stingray while filming the documentary Ocean’s Deadliest at Batt Reef off the Australian coast. Despite attempts by his crew to save him, the injury proved fatal.
Terri also recalled the family’s final six-week crocodile research expedition together before his death.
“We were together as a family, on our crocodile research expedition, for what was to be our final six weeks together. Ours was to be a long and sweet goodbye,” she wrote.
She said Steve had spent time with their children building swings and climbing trees, adding: “Hold every moment dear with the ones you love. Until we meet again.”
Steve and Terri developed Australia Zoo after combining the reptile park established by his parents in 1970 with his television career. The Crocodile Hunter became a global success after launching in 1996 and made Irwin a household name.
Since his death, Terri has continued to run Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors, the family’s international conservation organisation, with support from Bindi, Robert and Bindi’s husband, Chandler Powell.
