Bindi Irwin Makes US TV Debut

Bindi Irwin, daughter of the beloved late Steve Irwin, made her US television debut Thursday on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

The 8-year-old, who resembles her father, greeted the audience in the khaki apparel often seen donned by her parents.

Following in her father's footsteps, Bindi Irwin made the appearance to talk about animals, and in a larger scale to carry on the conservationist agenda of her dad.

She was accompanied by a 10-year-old blue-tongued lizard named Spanky. Bindi encouraged the lizard to lick her face so that viewers could see its vibrantly colored tongue.

The young animal lover captured the hearts of millions when she eloquently spoke at her father's broadcast memorial service. In a speech she wrote herself, Bindi said "I don't want Daddy's passion to ever end. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did."

True to form, Bindi once again embraced her father's spirit on the TV show proclaiming her love of "all animals, great or small."

She also spoke openly about her father's influence on her life, acknowledging that her appreciation for all creatures came from him.

Bindi and her 2-year-old brother Bob have spent most of their young lives on the grounds of the Australia Zoo surrounded by exotic animals. She has an innate respect for animals; her favorites are spiders and snakes.

Even her name came from the family's connection to animals. Bindi was the name of her father's favorite female crocodile and her middle name, Sue, was the name of the Croc Hunter's favorite companion dog.

Bindi appeared regularly in her father's television shows, as early as age two. In September 2006, just after the death of her father, she became the youngest person to appear on the cover of Australia's New Idea magazine.

Bindi Irwin's appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show is the launch of a high-profile US tour leading up to the release of a 26-part Discovery Kids network series she has made called Bindi, the Jungle Girl.

Her tour will include addressing the National Press Club in Washington and appearing on The Late Show with David Letterman.

She will also attend a gala dinner representing Australia alongside Australian actors Russell Crowe and Naomi Watts, and Australian-born media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

Child psychologists in Australia have suggested that Bindi should be allowed time to grieve out of the spotlight. Bindi's mother, American-born Terri Irwin, says it is Bindi's will that is driving her show business career.

US audiences are welcoming Bindi Irwin with open arms, as is the Discovery Channel. The channel's senior vice-president Annie Howell calls Bindi "a very special child."

Sources:

"Crocodile Hunter's daughter seeks fame in US as Bindi, the Jungle Girl" Kathy Marks, The Independent, Jan 9, 2007.

"Irwin's daughter in US TV debut" BBC News, Jan 12 2007.