Bindi Irwin opens up about dad Steve's death

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Bindi Irwin recently discussed dad Steve Irwin's death with People magazine.

The 17-year-old Australian conservationist opened up about the late wildlife expert, aka the Crocodile Hunter, in an interview for the publication's Nov. 9 issue.

"You are forever a different person," the teenager said. "Dad was the strongest person I've ever known. And when the strongest person is taken away, you kind of go, 'Oh my goodness. What are we going to do?'"

Steve Irwin was killed after being pierced by a stingray barb at age 44 in September 2006. The television personality was also survived by wife Terri Irwin and Robert Irwin, and Irwin said the experience brought her family closer together.

"As a family, we've gotten so close," she shared. "The three of us, no matter where we are in the world, we'll always stick together. We can count on each other on the good days and bad days ... I know I can always just lean on them and know that I have their love and support."

Irwin's mom and brother temporarily moved to Los Angeles to be with her while she competes on Dancing with the Stars season 21. The conservationist honored her dad with a contemporary routine to "Every Breath You Take" on the show's Oct. 5 episode.

Bindi Irwin shared a throwback photo with dad Steve Irwin the same day she honored the late 'Crocodile Hunter' on 'Dancing with the Stars.' Instagram/Bindi Irwin

Irwin and her dancing partner, Derek Hough, have excelled on Dancing with the Stars, and are the highest-ranked couple of the season thus far. The ABC reality competition airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET.