‘Grandpa Crocodile’: Steve Irwin’s children share tributes to wildlife star on his would-be 60th birthday

Steve Irwin’s children have shared pictures and tributes to the late wildlife presenter and conservationist on what would have been his 60th birthday.

Bindi Irwin and Robert Irwin praised “the greatest dad and Wildlife Warrior” on social media, saying his legacy would live on.

Affectionately known as The Crocodile Hunter, Irwin was known for his confrontation of dangerous animals around the world.

He died in 2006 when he was 44, after his chest was pierced by a stingray barb on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Irwin’s daughter and son, who were just eight and two when he died, have both followed in his footsteps by becoming environmentalists and television personalities.

Alongside a photo of her looking at a large earthworm with her father, Bindi wrote: “Happy Birthday to the greatest dad and Wildlife Warrior.

“Today I’ll watch ‘The Crocodile Hunter’ with Grace Warrior and share stories about her incredible Grandpa Crocodile. I love you with all my heart. Your legacy lives on.”

The 23-year-old gave birth to daughter Grace Warrior last year, who she shares with American former professional wakeboarder Chandler Powell.

Posting a picture of himself as a young child on the front of a motorbike with his dad, Robert, 18, wrote: “Happy birthday Dad. I love you and I miss you more every single day.

“My earliest memories are my fondest, thanks to you. Hanging on tight to the handlebars of the motorbike, when you’d take Bindi and I on your morning lap of the zoo – before going to get ice cream for breakfast.

“Every minute spent with you was a blessing. I’m gonna ride that lap on your old motorbike this afternoon.”

Grace’s grandma Terri Irwin now runs Australia Zoo which celebrates Steve Irwin Day annually on 15 November.

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