An American wildlife warrior has issued a very personal message to Terri Irwin.
Juniper Russo, a wildlife rescue worker from Tennessee, has taken to TikTok to express their profound gratitude to the Irwin family.
‘I’m with For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue in Chattanooga Tennessee which is a wildlife rescue rehabilitation and education facility… none of it would exist if it were not for you and Steve (Irwin) and I’m not sure I would exist if it were not for you and Steve either,’ Juniper started the video.
They added that the couple had inadvertently saved their life through their inspiring work with animals.
Reflecting on their upbringing, Juniper candidly shared the challenges of their youth, highlighting how the Irwins served as beacons of inspiration and ‘fill-in parental figures.’
Juniper Russo, (pictured) a wildlife rescue worker from Tennessee, has taken to TikTok to express their profound gratitude to the Irwin family
‘Amidst of the worst of it, Terri, I clung to you and Steve as almost like these fill-in parental figures,’ Juniper said.
‘I had these elaborate fantasies about how somehow I was going to run away and was going to somehow get adopted by you and Steve,’ they added.
‘Even though I knew that part of this fantasy was not realistic I felt like at the very least then when I was a young adult I was going to be able to move to Australia and join the team there at Australia Zoo.’
Juniper then recalled an impactful email exchange with Steve Irwin, recounting his words that encouraged them to pursue their dreams of contributing to wildlife conservation, even from across the globe.
Driven by the Irwins’ dedication to wildlife and family, Juniper pledged to carry forward their legacy by making a positive difference and striving to make Terri and Steve proud.
Reflecting on their upbringing, Juniper candidly shared the challenges of their youth, highlighting how the Irwins served as beacons of inspiration and ‘fill-in parental figures’
‘It was what you (Terri) and Steve symbolised to me that made such a big difference,’ the wildlife worker said.
‘It was the idea that out there somewhere where people that loved their children and loved wildlife and that in some alternate reality you were capable of being proud of me.’
Expressing their gratitude to Terri, Juniper said: ‘I’m hoping that this message might make it to you and that you can know what a difference you made. Keep doing what you’re doing, please keep being you and please continue to inspire future generations… and on my end, I’ll do the same.’
Juniper recalled an impactful email exchange with Steve Irwin, recounting his words that encouraged them to pursue their dreams of contributing to wildlife conservation, even from across the globe
Terri was married to zookeeper Steve for 14 years before his tragic death in 2006 and they share two kids, daughter Bindi, 25, and son Robert, 20.
Steve was tragically killed when he was barbed by a stingray on September 4, 2006, at Batt Reef near Port Douglas in far north Queensland.
The tragic news sent shockwaves across Australia and around the world as his fans grieved the tragic loss.
Steve’s family has carried on his mission to promote and protect wildlife through Australia Zoo.
Driven by the Irwins’ dedication to wildlife and family, Juniper pledged to carry forward their legacy by making a positive difference and striving to make Terri and Steve proud
