Bindi Irwin, the 8-year-old daughter of late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, will launch her new television series in June with her father appearing in some episodes, Discovery Kids Channel said Tuesday.
The exuberant, khaki-clad Australian naturalist and his daughter began filming the 26-part cable TV show, Bindi: The Jungle Girl, in early 2006 with the aim of getting children more interested in wildlife conservation.
Irwin, however, died last September after a stingray's serrated barb pierced his heart while he was filming scenes for a documentary off Australia's northeast coast.
But after 44-year-old Irwin's death, his daughter and her US-born mother, Terri, decided to finish filming Bindi's series.
Critics in Australia and elsewhere accused Terri Irwin and her advisors of trying to rush Bindi into show business, saying she is too young to cope, but the family brushed off the criticism with Bindi repeatedly saying she wants to continue her father's legacy.
"Those closest to her know that she deeply believed in her father's mission to protect wildlife," the cable network said in a statement announcing the June 9 premiere.
Discovery Kids Channel said the new series features Bindi introducing viewers to the world of wildlife from her cozy tree house high up in the rain forest, with both her parents dropping in to share stories of animal adventures.
The night before the series premiere, sister channel Animal Planet is presenting My Daddy The Croc Hunter, in which Bindi, with her mother's help, hosts her first special and shares her personal look at growing up with her famous father.
She shows clips from her early childhood and footage from Irwin's last crocodile research adventure in August 2006, when Bindi helped him with some croc captures.
In the nine months since Irwin's death, Bindi has rarely been out of the public spotlight. She spoke at her father's funeral and earlier this year toured the US to kick off her American show business career, performing her Bindi and the Crocmen stage show. She was also named a tourism ambassador for Australia.
An 8 year old girl shouldn't be givven a choice at all! So all you out there saying that this was her decision: SHE IS EIGHT. She isn't even allowed to deside what to eat every night, it would be too much candy and snacks. But sure, by all means, let her deside not to have an proper education. Let her deside to be the goose with the golden eggs for those dozens of people who used to scimm of the succes of Steve. It's a travesty, it's a discrace and it will be a dog of a show
At this particular time in her life maybe she's focused on continuing with this project because it's helping her during the healing process of losing her father (at least for right now), by going thru with the new series that her father helped start being it was and still is so important to this family. I'm sure her mother will be wise and watch over her daughter and make sure that the show does not become too overwhelming in her life and help her all the way.
She IS a child. AND she isn't being pushed into all this. She has been given the choice to do these things, and WANTS to do them. She isn't been told to do them. I say go for it! She is a inspiration. Steve would be proud!
That's a lot for an 8-year old to carry, and totally not fair - let her be a child.
i think it is sweet
It's nice to see her honor her father's memory, though!
I'm sure Bindi does want to continue her father's legacy but she's still a child. I think that she's taking on too much too soon and I wouldn't want to see her suffer from burnout. I think that the show will be an educational and entertaining one for kids.