Steve Irwin’s kids pay tribute on 16th anniversary of death

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Steve Irwin attended Nickelodeon's 15th Annual Kids Choice Awards in Santa Monica on April 20, 2002.
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Terri co-starred with Steve on his wildlife documentary series "The Crocodile Hunter." The wildly popular series ran from 1996 through 2007. Here, Steve and Terri are pictured at the Australia Zoo in Queensland, Australia holding a nine-foot female alligator on June 18, 1999.
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Animal lovers Steve and Terri are pictured here with Harriet, a Giant Galapagos Land Tortoise at the Australia Zoo. Harriet died in 2006 at age 175, making her the third oldest tortoise.
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Years after Steve Irwin's tragic 2006 death, when a stingray's barb pierced his heart as he filmed a documentary, his legacy lives on though his zoo, the Australia Zoo, and his family. Steve and his wife Terri got married in 1992, only one year after they met. Together they owned and ran the Australia Zoo, which was originally founded by Steve's parents.
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Steve Irwin appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," several times, which helped propel him to international fame. Here, Steve wrestles a crocodile on Jay's desk on June 28, 2002.
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Steve Irwin is pictured with his newborn son Bob after a blessing ceremony by Tibetan Buddhist nuns at his Australia Zoo on Jan. 2, 2004.
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Steve Irwin took his talents to the big screen when he and Terri starred in the adventure film "The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course," based on his popular television series.
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Steve Irwin was known for his larger-than-life personality and his Australian accent-laden catchphrase, "Crikey!" Here, Irwin feeds a tiger at the Australia Zoo on June 1, 2005, in Beerwah, Australia.
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Steve and Terri pose with their adorable daughter Bindi in this picture taken at the Australia Zoo on Dec. 14, 2002. Bindi is now an adult and continues to carry her father's legacy with her work in wildlife.
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Steve and Terri had two children together, Bindi (r.) and Robert. The happy family is pictured here at the Australia Zoo on June 19, 2006.
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Steve, donning his famous khaki shirt and shorts, held up his daughter Bindi at the premiere of "The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course" in Hollywood on June 29, 2002.
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Steve Irwin took a walk on the wild side with Bruce Willis as he introduced him to a huge boa constrictor at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2002.
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Steve Irwin poses at the Australia Zoo with a lovable gorilla on Aug. 6, 2003, in Beerwah, Australia.
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Steve Irwin poses with his family at Australia Zoo June 19, 2006 in Beerwah, Australia.

By Peter Sblendorio | psblendorio@nydailynews.com | New York Daily News

PUBLISHED: September 4, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. | UPDATED: September 5, 2022 at 2:06 p.m.

The children of the late “Crocodile Hunter” star Steve Irwin paid tribute Sunday on what is the 16th anniversary of his death.

Bindi Irwin, 24, and Robert Irwin, 18, both shared throwback photos on their Instagram pages that show them as children with the Australian zookeeper.

“It’s Father’s Day today in Australia, and I am sending my love to those who are missing their dad today,” Robert Irwin wrote. “I cherish all the good times with my dad and feel grateful to be able to keep his memory and legacy alive.”

Bindi Irwin, meanwhile, referred to her father as “Grandpa Crocodile,” referencing that she gave birth to a daughter, Grace, last year.

Steve Irwin with his family at Australia Zoo in 2006.

“I know you would’ve been the most incredible grandfather because you were such an extraordinary dad,” she wrote. “Thank you for being an amazing guardian angel for Grace.”

Steve Irwin died Sept. 4, 2006, at age 44 after suffering an injury from a stingray.

He was known for his work as a conservationist, which he chronicled on the reality series “The Crocodile Hunter,” and for operating the Australia Zoo, which his wife, Terri Irwin, still runs.

His children have also followed in his footsteps as conservationists. The family’s work is highlighted on the reality series “Crikey! It’s the Irwins.”