Toy line features ‘Crocodile Hunter’

TWINSBURG, Ohio – Crikey! A talking “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin action figure that has his recorded voice reciting his signature phrase will go on sale nationwide next month.

With the blessing of his widow, the 39-piece Steve Irwin Wildlife Adventure Series as well as plush toys and educational items will launch next month at the 2007 International Toy Fair in New York, toy maker K&M International said.

K&M was ready to stop the international launch after Irwin died Sept. 4 from a poisonous stingray barb piercing his chest, but Terri Irwin wanted to go ahead, said G.B. Pillai, K&M president.

“We want people to know what he stood for and never forget him,” Pillai said.

Irwin had recorded the voice for his action figure, dressed in khaki shorts and shirt with hiking boots. The doll describes a crocodile rescue, sprinkled with funny phrases in his thick Australian accent.

“Holy Guacamole!” it says at one point. “Do you see that? It’s a giant golden orb spider and she’s built her web right across our path! It’s super sticky for catching small birds and bats. Let’s not disturb it.”

The toys will also be sold in Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. They’ve been sold at Irwin’s family-owned Australia Zoo for the past year. K&M also plans to launch a line of plush toys called Bindi’s Friends, named for the Irwins’ daughter, who will debut her own show on the Discovery Channel.

Irwin’s final documentary, called “Ocean’s Deadliest,” is to air today on Discovery. It will not include footage shot the day he died.