Irwin family share emotional video of Steve Irwin describing ‘love at first sight’
The Irwin family have shared an emotional video showing dad Steve Irwin gushing about experiencing 'love at first sight' while working at the Australia Zoo.
And no, he wasn't talking about a crocodile - though I wouldn't have put it past the animal lover.
His heartfelt comments were shared this week in a video posted by the Australia Zoo, which is now run by Irwin's wife, Terri, and his children after he sadly died in 2006.
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The video was made in honour of Terri, who celebrated her 59th birthday yesterday (20 July).
Alongside the video, a caption read: "Join our Australia Zoo family in wishing Terri the happiest birthday. You are the most incredible Wildlife Warrior and we love you so much."
The post opened with a series of clips of Terri working with animals, including an adorable-looking koala bear, with Irwin's voice speaking over the top.
"I looked up, and our eyes met," he said, recalling the moment the pair first met.
Irwin continued: "My heart just went 'bang, bang, bang, bang', just started thumping - it was love at first sight. I know this sounds like it's coming out of some Mills & Boon love novel, but it's true."
Irwin had been giving an animal demonstration at the zoo when he first spotted Terri, so he quickly wound up and managed to strike up a conversation with her.
"She stayed back and talked to me, and crikey, our love just went ballistic," Irwin recalled.
After hearing from Irwin, the couple's son, Robert, shared his own kind words for his mum as he wished her a happy birthday.
"Mum, happy birthday. Thank you so much for being an inspiration for myself and Bindi, but also the entire Australia Zoo team and the world," he said.
"You're a true pioneer in the field of conservation, wildlife science, and you're also an incredible businesswoman, leading Australia Zoo through some of its toughest times ever.
"But more than that, you're the best mum in the world. Always there for Bindi and I. And you feel like kind of the mum of Australia Zoo and now the grandmother. So thank you for everything that you've done to inspire us."
Robert added a personal message for Terri, saying: "I hope, if I'm half the person you are one day, I'll be very happy."
Daughter Bindi also joined in with the celebrations with a message of her own, in which she described her as 'the most wonderful, amazing, beautiful woman on this planet'.
"My best friend. The light of my life. And my goodness, a wonder woman to us all. Thank you for everything you do for our family, for the team here at Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors," she said.
Terri became a grandmother when Bindi welcomed her daughter, Grace, into the world in 2021.
Topics: Steve Irwin, TV and Film, Animals, Australia, Robert Irwin, Bindi Irwin
Emily Brown