Jan 27 2008
Steve Irwin
Steve Irwin, better known as the “Crocodile Hunter” was at Batt Reef, off the remote coast of northeastern Queensland, shooting a segment for a series called “Ocean’s Deadliest” when he swam too close to one of the stingrays.
Irwin showed for his enthusiasm for wildlife in his television first broadcast in Australia in 1992. The programme was picked up by the Discovery network, catapulting Irwin to international celebrity.
He was known for his bravado with wild creatures and making zoology (crocodiles in particular) popular, although there were many complaints from zooologists and wild life protection groups about his habit of getting up close to wild animals. He also made Australian English acceptable, if not fashionable.
He rode his image into a feature film, 2002’s “The Crocodile Hunters: Collision Course” and developed the wildlife park that his parents opened, Australia Zoo, into a major tourist attraction.
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