Bindi’s message

Most people know Bindi Irwin, 9 (pic), as the dynamic daughter of Terri and the late Croc Hunter, Steve Irwin, who inherited more than her parents’ good looks and charm.
Bindi was born with their passion for animal conservation and their enthusiasm for wildlife – the wilder, the better, in Bindi’s opinion.
Beginning Dec 3, the world will know Bindi as Bindi: The Jungle Girl, thanks to her new wildlife series on Animal Planet (Astro channel 556) that airs on weekdays at 6pm and again on Saturday at 4pm.
From her inviting perch in a two-storey treehouse deep in the jungle, Bindi positively bubbles over with excitement as she introduces viewers to her wonderful world of wildlife.
From leeches (“I love ‘em!”) to pythons (“gorgeous eyebrows!”), Bindi interacts with cute and not-so-cute animals, including a number of adorable creatures who call her treehouse home.
In this 13-episode series, both Steve and Terri, along with Australia Zoo director Wes Mannion, drop by at the treehouse to share their stories of animal adventures from across the globe.
Bindi also takes time out to log in and answer questions from fans around the world in a regular segment called Bindi’s Blog. Rounding up the fun are animal-themed song-and-dance routines.
Bindi often joins The Crocmen to sing and dance to original tunes like When the Hippo Moves Her Hips and Monkey in the Jungle.
Some episode titles include Not Many Left, Elephants at Work, American Beauties, Cat Tracks and Aussie Icons.
Here are excerpts from an interview with Bindi.
Q: What has it been like filming Bindi: The Jungle Girl?
The best part of filming this series was going to work with my dad. He was so much fun, and he taught me so much about wildlife and how important it is for people to care about animals.
Q: Do you have a favourite moment?
One of my favourite moments could be swinging on the ropes that we have in my treehouse. It is just so much fun to be able to swing around the place from rope to rope. I also loved it when my pet dog, Diamond, made a surprise visit to the treehouse and, of course, it was so good when I got to have my pet rat Candy on the show!
Q: You have a rat as a pet?
Candy is my favourite friend and we do lots of fun things together! We go out roller-blading and he rides on my shoulder. He likes to play with all of my other animal friends too, except the snakes, of course.
Q: Do you have a favourite episode?
I really love them all, but I’d have to say that Elephants at Work is probably one of my favourites. Elephants are truly amazing creatures, and it’s really sad because they are losing their habitat in certain parts of the world. They work so hard, like bulldozers, but they can also be fun, loving and playful. I got to ride on an elephant’s back, which was so much fun, while filming this episode.
Q: What’s it like to live in a two-storey treehouse – every kid’s ultimate fantasy – in this show?
My treehouse is amazing because I get to spend time with some of my favourite animal friends like my black-headed python, Blackie; my iguana, Peru; my koala, Jaffa; and my kookaburra, Tick. The treehouse is the starting point of every show. We got the idea for the treehouse to be my home in the show because my dad built me a real treehouse in the bush in our zoo, and we would play and eat together there. But the treehouse in my show is so much bigger and full of so many really fun things and animals.
Q: A lot of kids who watch this series might think you are very brave to get close and personal with animals as you do. Did you have to overcome any fears in order to do that?
I have been around all types of animals since the day I was born. My dad taught me to respect all animals, so I’ve never had to overcome any fear. Plus, I’m always with someone who knows the safe way to interact with these animals.
Q: How involved are you in coming up with ideas for the series?
If I have an idea for an episode, say about pandas, I’ll talk to my mum and the producer and let them know. They always listen to me, and we work on how to do it in a way that will be entertaining for kids to watch.
Q: You are becoming the spokesperson for the young generation that will live in the world adults are creating. What do you think kids can do to impact the environment and help protect wildlife? How do you think your show will help in this?
I believe that we will lose a lot of animals from the planet before I am old enough to drive. That is very sad. I want to encourage people to do something in their own way to help stop this terrible thing from happening. One thing everyone can do is not buy any wildlife products.
Win a goodie bag
In conjunction with the premiere of Bindi: The Jungle Girl, Animal Planet is giving away 10 exclusive Animal Planet goodie bags containing a Bindi Kidfitness DVD/CD set, Bindi water tumbler, Animal Planet fishing hat, notebook and pen.
To win one, complete the following on a postcard. All entries must have your full name, IC number, address and contact details.
Complete the following sentences and slogan:
1) Name one of the songs that Bindi and The Crocmen sing and dance to in Bindi: The Jungle Girl.
2) Episodes of Bindi: The Jungle Girl premieres every weekday at 6pm on . . .
3) I can’t wait to watch Bindi: The Jungle Girl because . . . (in 20 words or less).

Send your entries by Dec 15 to:

The Star/Animal Planet
“Bindi: the Jungle Girl” Competition
No. 47-10, The Boulevard
Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra
59200 Kuala Lumpur