WILDLIFE WARRIORS: ‘STEVE TOOK US UNDER HIS WING'

A CHANCE ENCOUNTER WITH THE CROCODILE HUNTER CHANGED THE POWERS TWINS FOREVER

- Megan Rowe

They speak in unison, wear matching outfits and sleep in twin beds in the same room. The identical Powers twins – or ‘The Twinnies’, as they prefer – cannot stand to be apart, which means neither of them have had boyfriends.

But the most magical part of Paula and Bridgette Powers’ bond is their ability to perform miracles on sick and injured seabirds. It’s so impressive, the late Steve Irwin was inspired to take them under his wing the moment they met.

Speaking in chorus from the Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue refuge on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, the 47-year-old sisters say they are pleased to have had the chance to work so closely with their hero.

“We’re glad we had the chance to have known him,” say the twins. “Steve was a top bloke. We had plenty of laughs back in the day.”

A chance encounter with The Crocodile Hunter when they were struggling to save a green sea turtle in their early 20s catapulted the Twinnies on their career path.