Sept. 5, 2006 —Remembrances of Steve Irwin, Discovery Networks' beloved "Crocodile Hunter," poured in from all corners of the world in response to Irwin's tragic death during a filming expedition on the Great Barrier Reef.
Irwin was just 44 years old. While an official postmortem report is pending, Irwin is believed to have suffered cardiac failure when he swam over a stingray whose barb pierced Irwin's chest, tearing a hole in his heart. Since Irwin was filming a segment at the time, the incident was caught on tape.
The video shows Irwin pulling a poisonous stingray barb from his chest in his final moments, officials told reporters on Tuesday. Police who reviewed the tape said there was nothing suspicious about Irwin's death and no evidence that he provoked the animal.
He is survived by wife Terri and two young children: Bindi, aged 8 and Robert, aged 2. Police and ambulance officials at the site near Port Douglas, which is 1,260 miles north of Brisbane, indicated the family was immediately informed of his death.
Friends, fans and colleagues worldwide are mourning the sudden loss.
"Steve was a larger than life force," said John Hendricks, founder and chairman of Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI).
"He brought joy and learning about the natural world to millions and millions of people across the globe. He was a true friend to all of us at Discovery Communications. We extend our thoughts and prayers to Terri, Bindi and Bob Irwin as well as to the incredible staff and many friends Steve leaves behind," said Hendricks.
Billy Campbell, president of Discovery Networks, U.S., added, "Our entire company is deeply saddened by the tragic and sudden loss of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. Steve was beloved by millions of fans and animal lovers around the world and was one of our planet's most passionate conservationists."
Plans are already underway to create a "Steve Irwin Memorial Sensory Garden" in front of Discovery's headquarters in Silver Spring, Md.
A full day of programming to honor Steve will air around the globe in the upcoming week.
"The entire Animal Planet family is devastated but determined, now more than ever, to see that Steve Irwin's legacy lives on," said Maureen Smith, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Animal Planet.
DCI is planning to create the Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter Fund, which it expects to affectionately call "The Crikey Fund."
The Fund is expected to provide a way for people to make contributions in Steve's honor to support wildlife protection, education and conservation. The Fund will provide support to Irwin's Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Australia, as well as educational support for his children.
On Sept. 15, the Queensland, Australia town of St. George, near where Irwin established a conservation center and where he often vacationed, will discuss plans for erecting a memorial to the popular television star and conservationist.
