Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin dies at 44

Famous Australian croc wrestler killed by stingray while shooting underwater

Steve Irwin, the Australian environmentalist, TV personality, and the world's best-known Crocodile Hunter was hit in the chest by a stingray yesterday while filming an underwater documentary. He pulled the 20-cm poisonous barb out and died shortly after being pulled into a boat by crewmembers off Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Although at times Irwin's antics on his Discovery Channel specials seemed over-the-top - he famously wrestled crocodiles as part of his rescue efforts; he went face-to-face with snarling snakes; he coddled poisonous spiders - he managed to make natural history and wildlife more accessible and interesting to people.

In his trademark khaki shirts and shorts, the effervescent Irwin didn't hesitate to take risks while sharing his genuine love for the world's endangered creatures. I remember watching him tangle with a crocodile one night on Jay Leno. While Leno freaked out, Irwin jumped right on top of the hissing prehistoric looking beast. It was impressive... if a bit alarming.

In the 1980s when I was growing up there was no comparable environmentalist. There was Jane Goodall, Jacques Cousteau, and Richard Leakey but they were both shy and retiring. So when Irwin, 44, arrived on the scene, he stood out for his remarkable on-air delivery and energy and depth of knowledge. He made a career of getting close to deadly beasts.

And though he wrestled crocs, his goal was clear and unwavering - conservation.

Irwin was born in Essendon in Victoria, Australia, in February 1962. In 1970, his parents founded the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, later to become Australia Zoo, on the country's Sunshine Coast.

Irwin grew up surrounded by wildlife. The park specialized in rehabilitating ill or injured baby kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and koalas. He and his wife, Terri, ran the zoo together while filming numerous episodes of The Crocodile Hunter for Discovery Channel.

The network announced plans for a marathon screening of Irwin's work and a wildlife fund in his name.

"Rarely has the world embraced an animal enthusiast and conservationist as they did Steve Irwin," Discovery Networks International President Dawn McCall told the Associated Press.