Wildlife TV shows have gotten complicated with all the streaming platforms and spinoffs flying around these days. As someone who grew up watching Steve Irwin wrestle crocodiles on cable, I learned everything there is to know about the Irwin family’s continued work on television. Today, I’ll share the full rundown on Crikey! It’s the Irwins and whether Season 5 is actually happening.
What the Show Is Actually About
Crikey! It’s the Irwins premiered on Animal Planet in October 2018, about twelve years after Steve Irwin’s tragic death. That’s what makes this show endearing to us wildlife documentary fans — it’s Terri, Bindi, and Robert carrying on exactly what Steve would have wanted, keeping Australia Zoo running and animals protected.
The show is based at Australia Zoo in Queensland, the same facility Steve turned into a world-famous destination. Each episode follows the family rescuing injured wildlife, managing zoo operations, and occasionally traveling internationally for conservation projects. Think crocodile relocations in remote Australia, koala rescues after wildfires, and the daily chaos of feeding and caring for hundreds of animals while also running a major tourist destination.
The format works because the Irwins are genuinely doing this work whether cameras are rolling or not. Unlike reality shows built on manufactured drama, this one documents actual conservation efforts with real stakes for real animals.
All Four Seasons Broken Down
Probably should have led with this section, honestly. The show produced 49 episodes plus a special five-episode lockdown series across four seasons from 2018 to 2022.
Season 1 (2018) established the formula and introduced viewers to how the zoo operates without Steve. The standout sequence was the family’s trip to South Africa where Terri helped release a wild leopard back into the bush, Bindi trained with the all-female Black Mambas anti-poaching unit, and Robert attempted to photograph Africa’s Big Five. It showed the family’s conservation work extends far beyond Queensland.
Season 2 (2020) got emotionally heavy fast. Australia’s devastating wildfires had just burned through massive swaths of wildlife habitat, and the Irwins documented their rescue efforts in real time. Robert and Terri provided critical care to severely burned koalas, some of which were brought in barely alive. The season also showed the zoo’s pandemic reopening and included footage of Robert helping deliver a litter of tiger cubs — the kind of moment that reminds you why people watch this stuff.
Season 3 (2021) moved to discovery+ alongside Animal Planet and took the family back to the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve to study crocodiles in their natural habitat. The big personal news was Bindi’s pregnancy announcement, and viewers followed her journey working through it while still handling zoo duties. Her husband Chandler Powell became more of a regular presence.
Season 4 (2022) was officially labeled the final season by the network. Baby Grace Warrior Irwin Powell made her television debut, growing up on camera like her mother once did. Robert attempted the largest alligator capture and relocation in Australia Zoo history while Terri continued her work with endangered Sumatran elephants.
Is Season 5 Actually Happening?
Short answer: no official announcement as of early 2026. Animal Planet hasn’t renewed the show since Season 4 wrapped in February 2022, and the fourth season was explicitly described as “the final season” at the time.
But that doesn’t mean the Irwins have disappeared from television. Robert now co-hosts the Australian version of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here alongside Julia Morris, which is a completely different format but keeps him in front of cameras regularly. He also won the thirty-fourth season of Dancing with the Stars in the United States in 2025, partnered with professional dancer Witney Carson.
The family isn’t abandoning media presence — they’re just not doing their own dedicated series at the moment. Whether that changes depends on network interest and the family’s availability.
Where to Watch Previous Episodes
If you missed the show during its original run or want to rewatch:
- Hulu — all four seasons currently streaming
- discovery+ — the show’s original streaming home platform
- Animal Planet GO — accessible for cable subscribers
- Amazon Prime Video — available for purchase or rent per episode/season
What the Irwin Family Is Doing Now
Bindi Irwin now serves as CEO of Australia Zoo, managing both the conservation mission and the business operations. Robert handles day-to-day zoo management alongside his hosting and photography work. Terri remains dedicated to the wildlife hospital and oversees the overall direction of the facility Steve built.
The family’s Crocodile Hunter Lodge, which was Steve Irwin’s dream project for years before his death, finally opened in 2022 and has been collecting awards since. It won five trophies at the 2024 Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards, including World’s Best Nature Hotel — the kind of recognition Steve probably would have found both exciting and slightly embarrassing.
Grace Warrior Irwin Powell is growing up surrounded by wildlife, already making appearances alongside her family at public events. Third generation in a conservation dynasty, whether or not she ends up on camera professionally.
Following Updates
For actual news on potential new seasons or Irwin family projects, the reliable sources are Australia Zoo’s official website and social media accounts, Animal Planet programming announcements, and the family’s individual Instagram and Twitter accounts.
While we wait to see if Crikey gets renewed, the existing four seasons offer hours of wildlife content that shows why the Irwin family continues to matter to conservation decades after Steve’s famous catchphrase first aired.
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