Bindi Irwin, the eight-year-old daughter of late naturalist Steve Irwin, will star in a wildlife series on the Discovery Kids network.

The series, called Bindi: Jungle Girl, was planned before the death of her Crocodile Hunter father.

Bindi Irwin, shown reading her speech at the memorial service for her father Sept. 20, will star in a wildlife series on Discovery. 'I'm never afraid of an animal,' she said in an interview on Australian TV.
(Steve Holland/ Associated Press)

Irwin died Sept. 4 after being struck in the heart by a barb from a stingray while diving off the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

He had been scheduled to co-star in the series, which will introduce young viewers to various animals.

Bindi and her family have agreed to continue with the series.

In doing so, she will continue her father's legacy as a conservationist and defender of wildlife.

The little girl won hearts all over the world with her moving tribute to her father at a memorial service at the Crocoseum stadium at Irwin's Australia Zoo.

She was equally poised in an interview that was aired last weekend during the program Australian Story on the Australian Broadcasting Corp., the public broadcaster.

"I'm trying to get across the message that don't be afraid of animals, they're just put on this earth to help the environment and everything like that," she said.

'I just get excited'

"Some people think that I would be afraid of them, but I'm never afraid of an animal. I just get excited and some that are dangerous I just think 'Oooh! What's going to happen?' and things like that," she added.

Parts of the series that have already been shot showing the Crocodile Hunter working with animals will be included, alongside scenes showing his daughter.

News of Bindi's involvement in the Discovery series has ignited a storm of reaction in Australia, where the Irwin family is a focus of attention.

Participants in an ABC forum said there was too much pressure on the youngster to follow in her father's footsteps.

Other viewers criticized John Stainton, Irwin's manager, for trying to continue making money with the Irwin name.

"I think they don't understand that this little girl is very much enjoying what she's doing. She is in control," Stainton said.

Her grandfather, Bob Irwin, has also backed the venture, saying he believes Bindi will have "a really big career."