Bob Irwin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bob Irwin
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|---|---|
| Born |
Robert Eric Irwin
8 June 1939 |
| Occupation | Conservationist, former zookeeper, animal naturalist |
| Years active | 1970–2018 |
| Spouse(s) |
Lyn Hakainsson
(died 2000)Judy Irwin
(m. 2004) |
| Children | Joy • Steve • Mandy |
| Relatives |
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Robert Eric Irwin (born 8 June 1939) is an Australian naturalist, animal conservationist, former zookeeper, and a herpetologist known for his conservation and husbandry work with apex predators and reptiles. He is the founder of the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park (now known as Australia Zoo). His son was the television personality Steve Irwin.
Early life
Robert Irwin was born on June 8, 1939, in Melbourne, Victoria. He was a successful plumber from Melbourne who, in addition, had also spent time building sheds and houses.
Career
Irwin's career in animal conservation began in 1970, when Irwin moved his family from Essendon, located north west of Melbourne, to Queensland.
He purchased 4 acres (16,000 m2) of land to construct a wildlife refuge, and constructed the Beerwah Reptile Park.
Irwin also resigned from his role as manager of Ironbark Station at Blackbutt where he lived, moving to a new 240-hectare (590-acre) property surrounded by forest and national park between Kingaroy and Murgon where he would continue his son's conservation work.
Irwin's memoir, The Last Crocodile Hunter: A Father and Son Legacy, was released on 25 October 2016.
Personal life
Irwin married Lyn Hakainsson (1942–2000), a maternity nurse who was killed in a car accident. Together, they had three children, a daughter, Joy in 1960 , son Steve (1962–2006), and a second daughter, Mandy in 1966. Bob Irwin has since remarried to Judy, and was Queensland's Grandfather of the Year in 2008. Irwin and his wife live on a rural property near Kingaroy, from where Irwin continued to campaign for wildlife and environmental conservation through his foundation, Bob Irwin Wildlife & Conservation Foundation Inc.
On 2 March 2008, it was announced that Bob Irwin had resigned from Australia Zoo.
On 12 April 2011, Bob Irwin was arrested and charged for contravening police direction as part of his civil disobedience actions against the Queensland Gas Company. He was protesting the construction of a gas pipeline. He faced court in May 2011.
On 1 July 2011, Bob Irwin announced he was considering challenging Labor incumbent Kate Jones and Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman for the seat of Ashgrove in Brisbane. On 5 September 2011, it was reported that Irwin had become disenchanted with politics and felt he could best carry on his passion for animal conservation and fight against the coal seam gas industry from outside of the political arena.
In June 2018, Irwin announced his retirement, and his Foundation announced suspension of its operations, "for the foreseeable future".
In June 2021, Irwin's granddaughter Bindi claimed that her entire life "has been psychological abuse from him." She also stated that Bob "never said a single kind word" to her personally", and had “shown no interest” in spending time with her or her family. Irwin denied these comments through a spokesperson not long after.
