Commemorate his death with a Steve Irwin doll brought to you by the Irwin family

**SVZ** · December 26th, 2006, 03:34 PM

By Jim Cheng, USA TODAY
Add Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin to the pantheon of adventure heroes immortalized as action figures.

In honor of the late Irwin's dedication to nature conservation and education and his love of animals, Wild Republic, the nature brand of K&M International, has teamed up with the Irwin family and the Australia Zoo to bring a new line of toys to the USA. Among the line's 39 products: an Irwin figure ($22) that spouts Steve's trademark phrases — "Crikey!" among them, no doubt — play sets and plush toys. They will be unveiled at the International Toy Fair Feb. 11-14 in New York.

The Wild Republic booth at Toy Fair also will feature appearances by Kate and Brian Coulter, members of Irwin's Wildlife Warriors Worldwide charity.

Bindi Irwin, 8, was filming a new series for the Discovery Channel, co-starring her father, at the time of his death. Irwin, 44, died Sept. 4 in Port Douglas, Queensland, after a stingray pierced his heart.

"We all know that Daddy had an important job. He was working to change the world so everyone would love wildlife like he did," Bindi Irwin said in a statement. "Now it's our turn to help him."

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/...ve-irwin_x.htm

**sweetness** · December 26th, 2006, 03:40 PM

I'm really surprised these toys weren't out before his death. He and his show were always popular with alot of kids.

**Dean James** · December 26th, 2006, 04:00 PM

These were likely conjured up before he died and afterwards they consulted with the family and decided to go ahead with them anyway. I dabbled in the toy industry years ago, these launches are planned months in advance. I'm sure they shat a brick when he died.

**Grimmlok** · December 26th, 2006, 04:04 PM

ROFL, well this pretty much puts a nail in the coffin of the "steve irwins family is just SO distraught" theory.

What a bunch of vultures.

The doll is a choose your own adventure model, but I don't see a stingray included.

**Dean James** · December 26th, 2006, 04:08 PM

ROFL, well this pretty much puts a nail in the coffin of the "steve irwins family is just SO distraught" theory.

No kidding, they're already plowing ahead with Bindi's (who the hell names their kid, Bindi) TV animal show. No grieving necessary, just get that kid on a crocodile.

**Laurent** · December 26th, 2006, 04:09 PM

I don't see anything in the article about proceeds going to charity, so I guess we are to assume each and every $22 you spend is going to help his kids continue to stick their heads in a wild animal's jaws for years to come.

**SVZ** · December 26th, 2006, 04:11 PM

i hope the batteries last forever or there are gonna be some sad kids.

**Grimmlok** · December 26th, 2006, 04:11 PM

... oOooo we may actively be encouraging their demise by wild animal? I might just have to take part in this.

**burnt_toast** · December 26th, 2006, 04:16 PM

No stingray accessory? geeze o' crow!

This really does make the Irwin family (Terri primarily) look horribly greedy! I get that the toy was planned in advance, and that many loved him, and that kids everywhere are clamboring now to get their very own....but something about it smells to me.

**SVZ** · December 26th, 2006, 04:17 PM

tickle me irwin!

**A*O** · December 26th, 2006, 04:45 PM

Maybe the naive people who thought I was a heartless bitch for questioning the motives of The Irwin Corporation will now realise the truth about Stage Mom Terri and her performing poodles/kids. It's ALL about $$$$$$$$$$