Steve Irwin

Crocodiles are easy. They try to kill and eat you. People are harder. Sometimes they pretend to be your friend first.

There's a lot of research behind the scenes that you don't get to see, but I have an instinct that my dad nurtured from when I was born. I was very lucky then.

Since I was a boy, from this house, I was out rescuing crocodiles and snakes. My mum and dad were very passionate about that and, I was lucky enough to go along.

My dad taught me from my youngest childhood memories through these connections with Aboriginal and tribal people that you must always protect people's sacred status, regardless of the past.

I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message.

Yeah, I'm a thrill seeker, but crikey, education's the most important thing.

You know, you can touch a stick of dynamite, but if you touch a venomous snake it'll turn around and bite you and kill you so fast it's not even funny.

So fear helps me from making mistakes, but I make lot of mistakes.

The only animals I'm not comfortable with are parrots, but I'm learning as I go. I'm getting better and better at 'em. I really am.

You know, I'm Australian, and we have got the worst sense of humor. We are cruel to each other.

I have no fear of losing my life - if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it.