Twelve-year-old wildlife enthusiast Bindi Irwin is the daughter of Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter who died in 2006. She’s making her movie debut in the live-action Free Willy: Escape From Pirates Cove. We caught up with her to talk wildlife and why she loves crocodiles.

What was it like filming in South Africa?

It was fun being in a different country. We filmed the entire movie in South Africa which was incredible. My dad had been to Africa before to film documentaries but it was my first time and I loved it. On my days off from filming I was very lucky to experience Cape Town and have many adventures such as climbing Table Mountain and playing at Boulder’s Beach which was full of penguins. My brother, Robert, also played a part in the movie and that was fun too!

What was the best part about being in a movie?

Free Willy was an amazing film to work on because it isn’t just a fun, exciting family movie but it also has a great message in it.

You got pretty close to some wonderful animals. What was that like?

I got to work with some incredible African wildlife. I also got to work with a little penguin called Englebert and he was quite the character. They used to get him to walk to the camera by putting some of his penguin friends behind the camera and he would waddle towards them. It was really very interesting working with trained animals as opposed to the wildlife I film with in documentaries.

Do you have any more plans for movies?

I said to my mum before we shot the film Free Willy, that I’d love to film a movie one day and that I’d also love to do the voice of an animated character. Hopefully there will be more movies in the future and more filming for television as well.

Why do you love animals so much?

I love animals because they are so much like us! Crocodiles are great mothers and very protective of their young. Otters are silly and they just love to play. Elephants are intelligent and such gentle giants. We should all treat animals how we would like to be treated.

Every time we lose an animal species it is like losing a brick from a house. Pretty soon the house just falls down. 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 everyone to do something in their own way to help stop this terrible thing from happening. Every kid can make a difference. Join me and change your world!

What’s your favourite animal?

I really love crocodiles and snakes but my favourite animal at Australia Zoo would have to be echidnas. I love them because they are monotremes, which means they are egg laying mammals. Did you know there are only two monotremes in the world? One is the echidna and the other is the platypus.

If you could be an animal for the day, what would you be and why?

I would love to be an eagle because I could fly in the sky and watch over the world.

Do you have any advice for kids who want to care for wildlife?

One thing that everyone can do is not buy any wildlife products. When the buying stops, the killing can too. You can start in your backyard by locking up your dogs and cats at night so they don’t attack the native wildlife. Also – you can KHAKI IT on Steve Irwin Day this 15 November. Visit www.australiazoo.com.au for more info!

Free Willy: Escape From Pirate’s Cove and Free Willy: Complete 4 Movie Collection are out on DVD now!