Before he died in 2006 after being stung by a stingray, Steve Irwin, perhaps better known as “The Crocodile Hunter,” dedicated his life to animals and the environment.
Since that time, his family has been carrying on his legacy, providing care to animals at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.
On Jan. 2, the hospital began to care for a platypus and crossed a significant milestone, according to Irwin’s son Robert Irwin.
“This is patient number 90,000 that the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital has treated,” Robert Irwin said via Instagram. “‘Ollie’ the orphaned platypus is receiving round the clock care until he can be released back to the wild.”
The latest patient to the zoo comes at a time when Australia is battling severe wildfires, which are threatening a number of animals.
“With so many devastating fires within Australia, my heart breaks for the people and wildlife who have lost so much,” Steve Irwin’s daughter Bindi Irwin said on Instagram. “I wanted to let you know that we are safe.”
“There are no fires near us @AustraliaZoo or our conservation properties. Our Wildlife Hospital is busier than ever though, having officially treated over 90,000 patients. My parents dedicated our Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital to my beautiful grandmother. We will continue to honour her by being Wildlife Warriors and saving as many lives as we can.”
Robert Irwin asked the community to continue providing support.
“Over the last 16 years, the hospital has provided 24/7 wildlife rehabilitation and an incredible animal rescue service,” he said. “We’re so proud of this world-class facility. Thank you for your support – with pressures from drought to bushfires, wildlife need our help now more than ever.”