Starz to air Bindi Irwin's new show

U.S. cable network Starz says it plans to air "Bindi's Bootcamp," a series starring Australian actress, wildlife enthusiast and TV personality Bindi Irwin. The original live-action kids' entertainment series from FremantleMedia is to make its American debut May 1. It is shot on location at the Irwin family's Australia Zoo. "With 'Bindi's Bootcamp,' we wanted to create a show that would test kids' mental prowess, endurance and inner strength, all while inspiring them to respect nature and conservation," Sander Schwartz, president of FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment, said in a statement Monday. "Starz Kids & Family [channel] is dedicated to bringing unique and rich shows to families across America, and they will be the perfect home for this incredible wildlife adventure." "Starz Kids & Family is excited to bring such a unique and adventure filled series to our afternoon block of programming specially designed for young audiences," said Brett Marottoli, the network's executive director of programming acquisitions. "Bindi's Bootcamp" premiered in July 2012 on Network ABC3 in Australia. Bindi, the 14-year-old daughter of Steve and Terri Irwin, has been surrounded by animals her whole life. She began traveling at a young age in conjunction with her late father's famed "Crocodile Hunter" documentaries and inherited his passion for wildlife and conservation, Starz said. She has starred in her own animal-themed series "Bindi: The Jungle Girl," as well as the movie "Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove." Most recently, she headlined in "Return to Nim's Island" on the Hallmark Channel. Her father, Steve Irwin, died in 2006 after he was attacked by a stingray. He was 44.