Google honours Steve Irwin in Google Doodle tribute

22 February 2019

Digital & Tech

On what would have been his 57th birthday, Google has used its search engine homepage to celebrate and explore the life and legacy of wildlife conservationist, television personality and all-around Aussie legend, Steve Irwin. The Google logo is today replaced by a slideshow of illustrations that depict Irwin as we knew him best – as a wildlife warrior, showman and family man.

“The creation of the art was the product of close collaboration between the artist [Shanti Rittgers], our local Australian Googlers, and the Irwin family,” Google Doodles Global Marketing Lead Perla Campos told the ABC. “Our goal was not only to pay homage to Steve, but also create something authentic in the eyes of those who loved him.”

Steve and his wife, Terri, were partners in life and in work, shooting nature documentaries across the globe (Source)

Final image in Google Doodle slideshow, depicting the Irwin family carrying on Steve's work at Australia Zoo — Final image in Google Doodle slideshow, depicting the Irwin family carrying on Steve’s work at Australia Zoo (Source)

Irwin inherited a love of large reptiles early on in life and shared it with the world through his work at the Australia Zoo and his popular TV series The Crocodile Hunter. Thanks to the show, Irwin’s enthusiasm for saving endangered (and dangerous) animals quickly became as popular as his one-word catchphrase “Crikey!”

Irwin died in 2006 after being stung through the heart by a stingray while diving on the Great Barrier Reef near Port Douglas. Today, his legacy lives on through his family’s continued animal conservation work and with the celebration of Steve Irwin Day each November 15, an international celebration of wildlife, family, and fun including fundraising events to benefit the Australia Zoo’s Wildlife Warriors program.

View the full Google Doodle here.