EXCLUSIVE: Bindi and Terri Irwin On Continuing 'Croc Hunter's' Legacy

Dec. 8, 2006 — -- The late Steve Irwin, known around the world as "The Crocodile Hunter," captivated audiences with his daring and irresistible shows. But his mission wasn't to entertain -- he wanted to save endangered wildlife.

Now, Irwin's 8-year-old daughter, Bindi, and his widow, Terri, are fulfilling their promise to carry on his work following his untimely death in September. Bindi and Terri talked exclusively about their plans for the future with "Good Morning America's" Robin Roberts.

The two told Roberts how they're coping with Irwin's death.

"We're doing pretty good, we're battling on," a beaming, cheerful Bindi said.

Terri Irwin credited the good wishes from fans, especially from the United States, for lifting her family's spirits.

"I think some days you wonder how you're going to get through and other days you find reason to be inspired again," she said. "I'm very lucky because I've had an outpouring of love and support, particularly from the U.S."

Bindi said her father always stood by her side.

"He was just great. He was always there with me, by my side through thick and thin, he was just the best dad in the world," she said.

Like Father, Like Daughter

Bindi, Terri Irwin said, inherited an uncanny connection to animals from her late father.

"Just like Steve did, Bindi's got that strange communication with wildlife," Terri said. "It's beautiful to watch and it instills an empathy with all of us about just how important the animal kingdom is."

Bindi doesn't have the same tastes in animals as a typical 8-year-old.

"I really like snakes," she said. "It's pretty scary, but they're really nice creatures once you get to know them."

When she was just 18-months old, Bindi took care of a pet python. She rocked the snake to sleep by singing it lullabies.

Terri doesn't think it's unsafe or unnatural for Bindi to be so close with animals.

"She's born and raised with wildlife, living with a zoo," she said. "What would be strange for Bindi is if she were in an apartment in suburbia with a goldfish."

Bindi echoed her mother's sentiments, saying she couldn't fathom having only one pet to play with.

Continuing the Crocodile Hunter's Legacy

At her father's memorial earlier this year, Bindi made an emotional pledge.

"I don't want daddy's passion to ever end. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did," she said. "I have the best daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day."

Bindi told "Good Morning America" today how she would carry out her new mission.In January, Bindi will travel to Los Angeles and New York to perform a conservationist song-and-dance routine she developed with her father.

"We're doing some dances which will be really fun because all the people get to get up and dance along with us," she said.

Bindi is also working on a television show called "Bindi, The Jungle Girl," which is expected to air next year on American TV.

Terri carries on her husband's work by running the family's zoo in Queensland, Australia and conducting its crocodile shows. Asked why she's so dedicated to the Crocodile Hunter's cause, Terri explained that there's an urgency for everyone to get involved in wildlife conservation.

"I think it's tremendously important, because no longer do we distinguish between humanitarian needs and conservation needs," she said, adding that the protection of wildlife is crucial to the world's future.

The two are looking forward to bringing their mission to America and seeing their legions of state-side fans.

"We're really excited to say 'G'day U.S.A,'" Terri said, as Bindi cheered.