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Steve Irwin was an Australian environmentalist and television personality. He was best known for the television program The Crocodile Hunter, an unconventional wildlife documentary series which he hosted with his wife Terri Irwin. Irwin’s personality and outrageous antics in the series made him an international celebrity. He also owned and operated the Australia Zoo at Beerwah in Queensland.

Trivia: one of the oldest tortoises living in Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo, died of heart failure. The tortoise, Harriet, was 176 years old and was considered part of Irwin’s family. Harriet was thought to have belonged to Charles Darwin.

Steve Irwin was active in politics and was a supporter of the conservative Liberal Party of Australia. In particular, he strongly supported the incumbent Prime Minister John Howard.

Steve Irwin, 44 was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest, according to Cairns police sources. Irwin was filming an underwater documentary at the time.

Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality Monday morning off Port Douglas, according to Australian media.

Queensland Police Services also confirmed Irwin’s death and said his family had been notified. Irwin was director of the Australian Zoo in Queensland.

He is survived by his American-born wife Terri and their two children, Bindi Sue, born 1998, and Robert (Bob), born December 2003.

Irwin became a popular figure on Australian and international television through Irwin’s close handling of wildlife, most notably the capture and relocation of crocodiles.

Irwin’s enthusiastic approach to nature conservation and the environment won him a global following. He was known for his exuberance and use of the catch phrase “Crikey!”

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