Moment Steve Irwin cries over death of croc named Mary

Open accessibility guideSkip to sections navigationSkip to contentSkip to footerThe Sydney Morning Herald logoThe Sydney Morning Herald logoAdvertisementNationalSteve IrwinWhen Steve Irwin farewelled Mary, considered the “big beautiful matriarch” of Australia Zoo, he described it as "one of the saddest moments of my entire life". Credit: The Crocodile Hunter Diaries, originally aired on July 10, 2002Updated September 4, 2026 — 9:40am,first published 9:36amLoadingLatest in VideosVideo icon0:43Ange fumes over Ted Lasso comparisonVideo icon0:30Sydneysiders work outside and in pubs, cafes to soak up spring warmthVideo icon3:36George Lucas makes a surprise appearance at his new Lucas MuseumVideo icon4:50Foley runs rule over Wallabies 10sAdvertisementThe Sydney Morning Herald logoTwitterFacebookInstagramRSSOur SitesThe Sydney Morning HeraldThe AgeBrisbane TimesWAtodayThe Australian Financial Reviewnine.com.auDriveClassifiedsTributesPlace your adThe Sydney Morning HeraldContact & supportAdvertise with usNewslettersAccessibility guideSitemapPhoto salesPurchase front pagesContent licensingWork with usTerms of usePrivacy policyPress CouncilCharter of Editorial IndependenceAI Editorial GuidelinesProducts & ServicesSubscription packagesMy accountSubscriber FAQsDelivery statusToday’s PaperGood Food GuideDaily PuzzlesCopyright © 2026Subscribe