Bindi Irwin has said she wants to become a "wildlife warrior" just like her late father Steve Irwin.

The eight-year-old animal lover - who is currently on a tour of the US to promote her upcoming TV show - happily described some of the world's most dangerous animals as "sweet and gentle".

Bindi said on Friday (19.01.07): "I'm going to become a wildlife warrior just like my dad.

"Wild animals are so sweet and gentle. Crocodiles are such great mothers and snakes are just gorgeous."

Steve died aged 44 last September after being stabbed in the chest by a stingray's poisonous barb while he was filming his final documentary Ocean's Deadliest off the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

When asked if the launch of Bindi's own career was too soon, her mother Terri replied: "Grief is a road that each individual travels in their own way.

"For us to get right back up and be able to say that Steve's work counted for something has helped our family."