'Dad was my superhero': birthday girl Bindi opens up about life, love and the late Crocodile Hunter

Bindi Irwin is set to follow in her late father Steve’s footsteps as a wildlife warrior as she celebrates her 16th birthday.

The movie star and, who celebrated her birthday with a host of animals at Australia Zoo today said her birthday was like starting a new chapter in her life.

“I always try to encourage young girls to embrace who they are and the greatest thing that I try and do that has helped me so much is to never read negative comments,” she said.

Bindi opened up to Lisa Wilkinson on TODAY about what it was like growing up without her larger than life father and how her mother Terri is finally ready to find love again.