The Crocodile Hunter is a wildlife documentary television series that was hosted by Steve Irwin and his wife, Terri. The series became popular due to Irwin's unconventional method and hands-on approach to nature. The two-hour pilot episode, filmed in 1992, premiered on American cable television network, Discovery Channel in October 1996, followed by the official series premiere on Animal Planet on April 5, 1997. The series ended on June 18, 2004, two years before Irwin's death. 13 specials were broadcast between January 1, 1997 and September 4, 2007.