When I Guided Steve Irwin Through Yala: Memories From a 9‑Day Sri Lankan Safari
By Ajith Priyantha, Founder & Lead Naturalist – Ajith Safari Jeep Tours
Crikey, What a Week!
In May 2004 a khaki‑clad whirlwind named Steve Irwin leapt out of my jeep in Tissamaharama, slapped me on the back and boomed, “Mate, show me your snakes!” For the next nine days my team and I shepherded him across paddy fields, tea estates and Yala’s dusty tracks to film “Island of Snakes.” We relocated cobras, rescued kraits from village kitchens, and—yes—chased a few curious crocodiles.
Safari Snapshot
Expedition length: 9 adrenaline‑soaked days (May 2004)
Episode filmed: The Crocodile Hunter – “Island of Snakes” (aired June 2004)
Mission: Expose Sri Lanka’s high snake‑bite rate and teach safe relocations
Crew: Steve, Terri, two camera operators and my own Ajith Safari team
What I Learned From Steve
1. Passion multiplies. By day three even my shyest tracker was cheering each time Steve bagged a Russell’s viper for relocation.
2. Education can be fun. Steve turned every snake into a celebrity; villagers who once feared reptiles now asked for selfies.
3. Humour bridges cultures. Between shoots he joined a street‑cricket match, batting barefoot and laughing louder than the kids.
How His Legacy Shapes My Safaris in 2025
Greener game drives. Inspired by Steve, we now run low‑emission jeeps, keep a strict 50‑metre leopard buffer and limit guest numbers per vehicle.
Wildlife Warrior spirit. A share of every booking funds local snake‑bite first‑aid workshops—Steve’s favourite outreach activity.
Global spotlight. The Irwin family’s new Crocodile Cabins at Australia Zoo opened this April; their profits feed directly into habitat restoration projects we partner with.
Why This Story Matters to You
Booking an ethical Yala safari isn’t just a holiday choice—it’s a pledge to carry Steve’s torch. When you:
stick to park speed limits,
refuse single‑use plastics,
and choose guides who invest in conservation,
you become a Wildlife Warrior too.
Walk in Steve’s Footsteps
If you’re ready to feel the same rush Steve did, join me on a dawn drive through Yala. I’ll point out the very lagoon where he filmed the cobra release—and maybe hand you the cricket bat for a rematch with the village kids.
“If we can teach people about wildlife, they’ll want to save it.” – Steve Irwin
Crikey, let’s keep teaching—together.
