Steve Irwin, the beloved Australian wildlife conservationist, was a unique and charismatic figure dedicated to animal welfare and education. His untimely death at 44 in 2006, caused by a stingray attack near the Great Barrier Reef, shocked the world despite his hazardous work with crocodiles, sharks, and venomous snakes.

The incident occurred while filming a segment for his daughter Bindi’s show, Bindi the Jungle Girl, after bad weather postponed filming for Ocean’s Deadliest. Known for his rule that cameras must never stop rolling, Irwin’s final moments were captured on film. Despite efforts to save him, Irwin’s injuries were too severe, and he tragically passed away. His last known words were, “I’m dying.” The footage of this tragic event exists but remains unseen, as his friend John Stainton urged it never to be released. Irwin’s legacy lives on through his enduring impact on wildlife conservation and the countless tributes from his global fanbase.