She was eight when her father, conservationist Steve “Crocodile Hunter” Irwin, died of a stingray attack while filming underwater. Today, along with her mother Terri and younger brother Robert, she shoulders her father’s legacy at Australia Zoo.

The zoo is the backdrop for Animal Planet’s latest show Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors. Airing this Friday at 8pm on Animal Planet, it showcases their less than average lives, involving incidents like a tiger tooth extraction, rescue of a koala that’s been hit by a car or tracking a crocodile in the wild.

A t2 chat with Bindi, who at 15 is one of Australia’s prominent young faces, has her own globally syndicated kids’ wildlife TV shows, stars in big-budget Hollywood films, gets interviewed by the likes of Larry King, Oprah Winfrey and David Letterman and has a designer line in her name.

What does your name mean? Are you aware that ‘bindi’ is an Indian fashion accessory for women?

In some Aboriginal dialects, my name means ‘young girl’. I actually have a collection of bindis and I love meeting visitors in Australia Zoo who are from India.

What are the best and worst parts of life in a zoo?

I have the most incredible backyard on planet earth. Every day is an exciting adventure for me.

It’s really hard to think of a bad thing about living here. However, it is quite challenging to sleep in past 7.30 in the morning because all of the animals are up and ready to go, so all you can hear are birds squawking and tigers growling!

Oprah Winfrey poses with Terri Irwin, Bindi Irwin and Robert Irwin during the first taping of the Oprah Winfrey Show at the Sydney Opera House on December 14, 2010

Of the animals of the zoo featured in Wildlife Warriors, which are your favourite?

I love crocodiles. We have embarked upon the longest standing crocodile research project in the world, and are carrying on in Dad’s footsteps and using his croc catching techniques. One of my favourite episodes on the show is where we take the audience with us as we jump crocs, to learn more about them.

You have sung for the album Trouble in the Jungle. Describe a real-life instance of trouble in the zoo.

We used to have a beautiful wedge-tailed eagle fly around our Crocoseum which is a 5,000-seat stadium. It is a lovely bird, but it started stealing audience members’ food while it was flying during show time!

You handed a Favourite Male Singer award to Justin Timberlake in 2007 Kids’ Choice Awards. Who is your favourite singer?

Justin Timberlake has been a wonderful supporter of our non-profit organisation Wildlife Warriors and he is a terrific singer. I also love The Veronicas and Jessica Mauboy who have also been amazing Wildlife Warriors.

You walked the red carpet with Russell Crowe at the Man of Steel premiere. How did you two become friends?

My dad and Russell Crowe originally became friends, and I really have a great time with his kids Charlie and Tennyson. He has always been there for me from the time I was 10 years old and was filming my first movie Free Willy: Escape from Pirates Cove. I love his family.

Bindi Irwin and Russell Crowe arrive at the Man Of Steel Australian premiere in Sydney on June 24, 2013

Is the shoot for the Nim’s Island sequel over? Do you enjoy acting in fiction shows?

Return to Nim’s Island is an exciting new film about a young girl fighting to keep her home, a remote deserted island, pristine and untouched. The story sweeps you into the adventure of fighting poachers, building friendships and never giving up on what you believe in, even if the whole world is stacked against you. I really enjoy acting because I am able to play a character that is a little different from my own usual personality. I also find that I am able to use the filming work as a platform to bring my conservation message to an even larger audience.

The Calcutta zoo has started an animal adoption programme. But the zoo is getting flooded with requests to let the adopted animal out for a day to celebrate birthdays or such occasions. What would you tell such over-enthusiastic animal lovers?

It is very important to be teaching people about animals and conservation. The people who are adopting these animals and supporting their funds are true Wildlife Warriors. It would be easier for both the Calcutta zoo and its animals for visitors to come to the zoo to celebrate these special occasions.

You had your own fashion line as a child. Are you interested in fashion?

Bindi Wear International is a clothes brand that allows kids to just be kids and run around, jump in puddles, play with animals or just climb a tree in the clothes. I am interested in fashion and I feel like it is another avenue to bring my conservation message to more people. However at home, I am wearing my khakis. They are what I feel most comfortable in.

What’s your fondest memory of your father?

There are so many memories I have had with my dad. I’ll never forget the first time Dad let me jump on the head of a crocodile. On our annual crocodile research trips, in order for us to attach a tracking device to the crocs, we have to hold them down. So, the best croc jumpers all hold on to the crocs until they are ready to be released back into the water. When I was eight years old my Dad said that I was old enough to jump on the head of one of the small crocs. I couldn’t believe it! That was a moment that will live with me for the rest of my life.

Sudeshna Banerjee
What message do you have for Bindi? Tell t2@abp.in