Chapter 8
Diary of a Zoo

Life at the zoo was busier than ever. The Crocodile Hunter series had made Steve and Terri very, very famous. Viewers in America, England, and other countries wanted to visit the zoo. They wanted to meet Harriet, the 170-year-old tortoise.

They wanted to watch the staff feed some of the most famous saltwater crocs—Agro, Graham, and the oldest croc, Acco. They knew Steve’s daughter, Bindi, had been named after a croc. They wanted to meet this supercroc.

The Animal Planet network had an idea. They would film a new show about life at the zoo. Fans of Steve and Terri could meet the family and the animals.

The Crocodile Hunter Diaries began filming in 1998. It was shown on Animal Planet from 2002 to 2004. Now viewers on the other side of the world could watch Wes and Terri move loggerhead turtles back into the wild. They could see a python shed its skin.

The Australia Zoo staff all wore khaki shorts and shirts, just like Steve. Viewers at home got to know them. They watched the vets care for sick kangaroos. They learned about magpies and red foxes. They met a two-headed snake. They followed Bindi as she helped operate on a hawk.

Steve was always busy. There were crocs to feed and other animals to attend to. He talked to his parents often. He called for advice when there was a problem at the zoo. Bob and Lyn were always available to help out. But then, in February 2000, Steve got a terrible call. His mother, Lyn Irwin, had been killed in a car accident. It was a terrible time for the Irwin family.

But by 2003, there was good news. Terri was going to have another baby. The Irwins welcomed Robert Clarence Irwin on December 1, 2003. He was named after Steve’s dad, Bob, and Terri’s dad, Clarence. Now Bindi had a little brother. Viewers all over the world were able to meet him.

Calls continued to come in from far-off places: Please come. We need help.

Steve and Terri couldn’t wait to get back on the road. It wasn’t long before the whole family was driving out to the bush or flying to America or faraway islands.

Maewo is a tiny island in the South Pacific Ocean. It is one of eighty-three islands in the country of Vanuatu. When the Vanuatu government called, Steve didn’t hesitate.

A huge saltie was terrifying the island people of Maewo, one of the most beautiful islands in the South Pacific. The croc was twelve feet long and about 660 pounds. It was eating their pets. Fishermen were afraid to go out into the sea. Children no longer played on the beaches.

Steve and his team arrived in Maewo in early 2003. The staff of Vanuatu’s Environment Unit thought the croc came from an island called Vanua Lava, far to the north. A powerful hurricane must have blown the supercroc away from its home.

Steve understood the problem. The people of Maewo needed to be protected. But this creature was an endangered species. Everyone wanted to save it. No one wanted it to be hurt.

This saltie needed help to find its way home. First, Steve and the crew would have to capture it. But how? Crikey! Steve thought. This wasn’t going to be easy.

Steve and his crew built a strong floating trap out of lightweight aluminum. The trap was lowered to the bottom of the ocean and attached to a pier post. Bait was placed in the trap. When the croc swam in, the trap gate closed. Then Steve pulled the croc onto the beach and trapped it between his legs. The islanders jumped back. Steve secured the croc’s jaws and wrapped it in a net. The islanders moved closer. They peered down at the croc. They touched it. They were beginning to understand this croc they feared. They weren’t as scared anymore.

Steve was happy the Crocodile Hunter Diaries camera crew was filming. Viewers would see how important it was to find ways for humans and wildlife to share the planet.

A plane took the croc back to its home. Steve and his crew released it in the perfect environment—far from the villages. The island people cheered. Their old friend was back where it belonged, and they were safe.