Bindi gets her own doll

2008-07-06 09:07

Cleveland - Bindi Irwin, the Emmy-winnng daughter of late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, is getting her own 25cm doll, dressed in khakis and sporting binoculars, a camera and other outback gear, as well as a cockatoo, wombat and python.

In the talking version of the doll, Bindi uses such phrases as, "Crikey! Let's go help wildlife," and "You can make the world a better place," the Plain-Dealer newspaper reported.

The replica of the child star is part of a toy line being developed by Wild Republic, a division of K&M International Inc, based in Twinsburg, Ohio.

The company began marketing a Steve Irwin doll several months after the Australian TV show host's September 2006 death from a poisonous stingray barb piercing his chest. The rubber dolls based on his daughter are set for US retailers this September.

Bindi Irwin's career began with appearances on her father's shows and later expanded to live music performances and child-fitness DVDs.

Bindi the Jungle Girl, a child-friendly version of her father's show, began in June 2007 on the Discovery Channel. Bindi, 9, won a Daytime Emmy last month for the show and also a Logie, an Australian TV award, in May for most popular new female talent.

Wild Republic said the line is meant to be wholesome and spread Bindi's message about conservation. A portion of the doll sales will help fund efforts to breed endangered species and rescue animals.

- AP