On September 5, 2006, I was told by my sister (because I had not been watching the news) that Steve Irwin had been killed the day before by a stingray. It was in disbelief that I turned on the news and saw for myself that the man that had mesmerized me for so many years was really gone.

I have to admit that my feelings about it were initially very selfish and I was hurting for MY loss and then I felt guilty for my feelings. Terri…the children…they must be in more pain than anyone should ever have to endure. While I continued to hurt for me, my focus began to turn to Steve’s family whom I had watched grow and flourish over the years. I began to mourn for them instead of for Steve. The family that they had always been was now broken, never to be complete again. I was also mourning for the animal world, for who else would there be that would love them as much as Steve did?

I have always been an animal lover and protector, and after Steve’s passing, sent many letters to Terri and the Australia Zoo regarding a “Steve Irwin Memorial Conservation Center” to be built in California. I had never done anything like that before, so I was not surprised when my idea was rejected. However, I still felt as though I needed to be involved somehow. I just did not know what my involvement would entail. I began to self-teach by studying about animals of all sorts. From crocodiles to caterpillars, I felt an almost obsession for learning. I burned out quickly. This was not the way to go. Although it is always a good idea to learn more about anything, this was no more getting me involved than watching the Discovery Channel.

One year to the day after Steve’s death, I was on my way home from taking my husband to work and I had not even heard a single word on the news regarding the anniversary of that terrible day. This really bothered me and I decided right then and there that my contribution would be a book. Having never written a book should have discouraged me, but it didn’t. Not at all. I knew I could do this. This was going to be how I got involved. Before I even got home I had mapped out the book in my mind, all of the chapters and guidelines I would use. I was really going to do this and I knew from the inner peace that I got at that moment, the peace that seemed to be missing from me for an entire year, that I was doing something important and fulfilling. But how would it contribute to Steve’s cause, which is what my purpose was all along? Bingo! I would donate a percentage of the profit from every book to the “Wildlife Warriors” in honor of Steve. That sounded pretty good, but not good enough. I did not ever want anyone to think that I wrote this book for selfish reasons. Bingo!!! I would donate a percentage of the profits directly to the Australia Zoo. I would also use profits to invest in other conservation efforts. Hurray! So that is what I am doing. I have a purpose and it is the animals. Helping the animals is what Steve lived (and died) for. I want to help, too.

Now, the last thing I wanted to give people was “boxers or briefs” information. I wanted to tell the world why Steve was the man he was. To do that I had to write an in-depth and revealing look into his life, childhood and the personal relationships he had with people and animals. The research involved would be extensive. I spent at least three months reading and investigating before I ever wrote one word in this book. Television was non-existent, except if there was something on about Steve. Even then, I would sit in front of the television with a notebook and pencil, taking notes on what was said. Every spare moment I had was spent writing. But my children were terrific, very understanding and supportive. They felt, as I did, that I was doing something important and they were proud to be a part of it.

The many books, web sites and documentaries that I reviewed were very helpful and informative, but most of what is written in these pages was simply from memory. What I have seen for myself and learned through the years was what kept my fingers typing everyday and the admiration I have for the entire Irwin family kept me focused.

In every chapter, I’m hoping that you find it very easy to understand and educational. I want everyone to learn that Steve was more than what was seen on the screen…so much more. To get inside his life and experiences will reveal the love he had for life, wildlife and his family. From the smallest of events as a child to life changing encounters, it was all a part of turning Steve into the greatest conservation expert in history.

Steve had done more and dedicated more to this cause than anyone else had ever even come close to doing. This is how he became the world’s “Original Wildlife Warrior”. Because of his efforts, many have followed suit and are doing a fantastic job. They should be saluted for their contributions, but we all need to remember that Steve was the beginning and inspiration for all of it.

Mainly for effect, I have included some facts in this book to emphasize the extreme dangers involved in some of Steve’s adventures, but mainly the purpose of this book is to show people that the animal world and the human world must co-exist. The environment is important to all of us. Without protection and understanding, the animal world, and hence our entire ecosystem will collapse, and us right along with it.