NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bindi Irwin, the 8-year-old daughter of
late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, will launch her new television
series in June with her father appearing in some episodes,
Discovery Kids Channel said on Tuesday.
The exuberant, khaki-clad Australian naturalist and his daughter
began filming the 26-part cable TV show, "Bindi: The Jungle Girl,"
in early 2006 with the aim of getting children more interested in
wildlife conservation.
Irwin, however, died last September after a stingray's serrated
barb pierced his heart while he was filming scenes for a
documentary off Australia's northeast coast.
But after 44-year-old Irwin's death, his daughter and her U.S.-born
mother, Terri, decided to finish filming Bindi's series.
Critics in Australia and elsewhere accused Terri Irwin and her
advisors of trying to rush Bindi into show business, saying she is
too young to cope, but the family brushed off the criticism with
Bindi repeatedly saying she wants to continue her father's
legacy.
"Those closest to her know that she deeply believed in her father's
mission to protect wildlife," the cable network said in a statement
announcing the June 9 premiere.
Discovery Kids Channel said the new series features Bindi
introducing viewers to the world of wildlife from her cozy
treehouse high up in the rain forest, with both her parents
dropping in to share stories of animal adventures.