In a surprising twist no one saw coming, Terri Irwin and Bob Irwin Snr may finally be on the path to reconciliation after nearly two decades of estrangement. The spark? A growing fight against the proposed crocodile culling in Far North Queensland.
The late Steve Irwin’s father, Bob Irwin Snr, publicly clashed with MP Bob Katter and his son Robbie over a controversial bill aiming to legalize crocodile culling. According to Woman’s Day Australia, Bob fiercely opposed the measure, even going as far as calling Katter a derogatory name during the debate.
Terri Irwin, head of Australia Zoo and Steve’s widow, has also strongly condemned the bill, calling it both lazy and sloppy. She took a swipe at Katter’s criticism, which dismissed her family as southern entertainers unfamiliar with the regional fears surrounding croc attacks.
Family feud rooted in grief and legacy
The Irwin family’s long-running feud began in 2008, just 18 months after Steve’s death, when Bob Snr cut ties with Australia Zoo. He accused the management of turning the wildlife haven he founded into a commercial spectacle, a move that devastated fans and left the family fractured.
Since then, Bob has kept his distance from the zoo and its operations. He has never met his great-granddaughter Grace and reportedly hasn’t spoken publicly about Terri since walking away. Despite denying there was a feud, his absence has painted a different story.
Now, the shared passion for protecting crocodiles — Steve’s life mission — may be what finally mends the decades-old rift.
Sources close to the Irwins speak up
Insiders who spoke with Woman’s Day Australia revealed that those close to the family see this debate as the long-awaited olive branch. One source said the hope is that standing united on crocodile conservation may remind them of what once bonded them — a love for wildlife and the legacy Steve left behind.
Another insider said Terri defending Bob publicly sent shockwaves through their inner circle. It was seen as a respectful gesture that could lead to a deeper conversation about forgiveness.
In 2021, Steve’s daughter Bindi said her grandfather had shown no interest in forming a relationship with her or her daughter Grace. However, a family friend later claimed Bob believed the door was always open — if only someone would walk through it.
Privately, Bindi and her brother Robert are said to be encouraging their mother to take the first step. Both children reportedly want peace, and believe Steve would have wanted his family to reunite — especially over the very issue he died fighting for.
But whether the crocodiles can bring this fractured family back together remains a question that only time — and the next move — can answer.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.