Two Rescued Beavers Named After Steve and Terri Irwin Get a Second Chance at Wildlife Sanctuary

Two young beavers have found a new home at a wildlife sanctuary in England, and their names carry a special tribute to two of the world’s best-known wildlife conservationists: Steve and Terri Irwin.

The animals arrived after very different beginnings. One was orphaned, while the other suffered an injury that left her unable to return to her family. Now, they’re being given the chance to grow up together, with the possibility of eventually returning to live in the wild.

In an Oct. 14 announcement, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary announced that its newest residents had been named Steve and Terri in honor of the late Australian wildlife expert and his wife, the latter of whom has continued their family’s conservation work. The sanctuary said both beavers have settled in well.

Their arrival also marks another milestone in an effort to restore beaver populations across Britain.

Two Young Beavers Find Companionship After Difficult Beginnings

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Steve and Terri arrived at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary on Sept. 24 after receiving specialist care at Five Sisters Zoo in Scotland.

The young animals had been cared for through a partnership involving Beaver Trust, with veterinary support from Dr. Romain Pizzi.

Dr. Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Beaver Trust’s head of restoration, explained that the male beaver had been orphaned, while the female was injured and could not rejoin her family group.

The decision to bring them together was intentional. The organization hopes the two will provide companionship as they mature, potentially preparing them for release into a suitable habitat.

The names have particular meaning for the sanctuary’s staff.

Property and Conservation Manager Sean Higgins said Terri and Steve “the Crocodile Hunter” Irwin had inspired many members of the team through their work protecting animals and educating the public.

“By naming our two new beavers Steve and Terri, we hope to honour that legacy,” Higgins said.

Sanctuary Hopes Steve and Terri Can Eventually Return to the Wild

Although best known for caring for seals, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary has also become involved in beaver conservation. In fact, Steve and Terri are the 12th and 13th beavers to enter its conservation program, which works with Beaver Trust to support the species’ return to Britain’s landscapes.

Beavers are known as a keystone species, meaning their presence plays an especially important role in keeping an ecosystem functioning. Their dams create wetlands that support other wildlife, from fish and frogs to birds and insects.

The sanctuary has already seen the results of its rehabilitation efforts. In February 2026, two other beavers, Parsnip and Turnip, were released into the wild in Cornwall after spending time developing natural behaviors in the sanctuary’s four-acre enclosure.

Those two had also arrived after difficult circumstances, including Turnip’s rescue as a tiny kit swept downstream during a storm.

Whether Steve and Terri will follow in their footsteps remains to be seen. In the meantime, the two beavers have a safe place to mature together, and their caretakers are hopeful that the next chapter of their lives will eventually see them flourish outside the sanctuary.