Ally

Steve Irwin died while diving off the Great Barrier Reef today, he was caught by the barb of a stingray in his chest and could not be saved despite all attempts to do so. Condolences go to Terri and his family, friends and collegues.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/5311298.stm

Ally

He may have courted controversy but his heart was into conservation and education about wildlife and the habitats in which they lived...

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Ally

Steve Irwin was born in Victoria, Australia in 1962 and moved to Queensland with his family in 1970 when his father Robert opened a reptile park where the young Irwin developed his life-long love of nature.

Taking over the family business in 1991, Irwin saw the small reptile park develop into the world-famous Australian Zoo -- a must see attraction to the millions of fans of the TV show.

Irwin met and married his wife Terri in 1992, shooting to international stardom that year when the newlywed couple took a camera crew to film their honeymoon crocodile trapping trip in northern Australia. This became the basis of the first episode of his "The Crocodile Hunter" television show.

American television audiences quickly warmed to Irwin and his crazy antics, his outlandish Australian outlook to life and the obvious enthusiasm and passion he had for wildlife, making Irwin one the most popular faces on U.S. TV.

Tributes have already began to flow in for Irwin, with long time friend, producer and business partner John Stainton leading the tributes

"Today the world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet," he said. "He left this world in a peaceful and happy state of mind. He would have said, 'Croc's will'."

Australian political leaders were also quick to pay tribute to the life of a man who had become a cultural icon. Australian Prime Minister John Howard said in a press conference, "Steve was also a passionate environmentalist who used his television programs and his award-winning Australia Zoo to promote a serious conservation message."

"Steve was a dynamic personality who will be greatly missed by his legion of fans in Australia and around the world," said Howard.

Queensland premier Peter Beattie said that Irwin's loss were be sorely felt in home state.

"He was a great Australian, he was obviously a great Queenslander, but he put Queensland and Australia on the international map," Beattie said. "I mean I can remember going to the United States where people would not know the Prime Minister of Australia but they knew Steve Irwin."

Steve Irwin is survived by wife Terri and two children, daughter Bindi and son Bob.