| Subject: Tribute to Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. Steve will be dearly missed |
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AP Story
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Date Posted: 11:57:47 09/07/06 Thu
Author Host/IP: adsl-068-157-198-127.sip.tys.bellsouth.net/68.157.198.127
"Australian leaders pay tribute to Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin
Steve Irwin, host of Animal Planet's series "The Crocodile Hunter", holds a rattle snake during Nickelodeon's 15th annual Kids' Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California in this April 20, 2002 file photo. (Reuters)CANBERRA, Australia -- "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin was a unique character who brought joy to millions of people around the world, Australia's visibly upset prime minister said Monday.
"I am quite shocked and distressed at Steve Irwin's sudden, untimely and freakish death," Prime Minister John Howard told reporters after police confirmed that the international media personality and environmentalist had been killed by a stingray's barb to his heart while diving off Queensland state.
"He was a wonderful character. He was a passionate environmentalist. He brought joy and entertainment and excitement to millions of people," Howard said. "He was a one-off character."
"I really do feel Australia has lost a wonderful and colorful son," he added.
Irwin, 44, was filming an underwater sequence for a television series on remote Batt Reef off the far northeast coast of Australia when he encountered the ray and was stung about 11 a.m. (0100 GMT), Australia Zoo, Irwin's park, said in a statement.
Irwin is famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchcry "Crikey!" in his television program, Crocodile Hunter, which was first broadcast in Australia in 1992 before it was picked up by the Discovery Channel, catapulting him to international fame.
Australian leaders paid tribute and expressed grief at the loss of the dynamic personality.
Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile said "I was a tremendous fan of Steve Irwin because of his larger-than-life personality and his ability to highlight wildlife conservation in a way that people from all walks of life could identify with."
As trade minister, Vaile presented Irwin with an Australian export award in 2004 in the tourism category for his zoo.
Tim Fischer, chairman of the government tourism arm Tourism Australia, said the death of one of the world's most recognized Australians had shocked the tourism industry.
"A great ambassador has been struck down," he said.
Irwin had made a huge, direct and generous contribution to many projects associated with Tourism Australia, including the G'Day LA 2006 campaign, an Australian tourism and trade promotional week in Los Angeles in January.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who used a photograph of his family at Australia Zoo for his official Christmas card last year, also hailed Irwin for his work in promoting Australia.
Opposition Labor Party Leader Kim Beazley said news of the tragedy "spread through the Parliament like wildlife."
"This is terribly, terribly tragic news," Beazley said.
Floral tributes began appearing outside Irwin's zoo and passing motorists tooted horns as news of the tragedy spread.
"Steve, from all God's creatures, thank you. Rest in peace," was written on a card with a bouquet of native flowers.
One card, apparently written by children said: "To the Crocodile Hunter. xx,oo. We will miss you. Becky and Ryan Middleton."
A volunteer zoo helper Paula Kelly, who delivered a floral wreath, said staff were in shock.
"He's done so much for us, the environment and it's a big loss," Kelly said. (AP)
September 4, 2006"
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