Crocodile hunter was victim of 'voyeuristic wildlife TV'

As tributes poured in for the quirky 44-year-old, survival expert Ray Mears said his death was a "sobering lesson".

Video...watch Steve Irwin in action

• (Real Player)

• (Windows Media Player)

See also...

• GALLERY: Steve Irwin's life in pictures

• Profile: The colourful life of Steve Irwin

Mears said the Australian's death was a tragedy and his heart went out to his family.

But he added that it proved "some things in nature should be left alone".

He said: "He clearly took a lot of risks and television encouraged him to do that.

"It's a shame that television audiences need that to be attracted to wildlife.

"Dangerous animals, you leave them alone because they will defend themselves. Nature defends itself, it isn't all about hugging animals and going 'ahh'.

"It's wonderful to observe but you have to be sensible and maintain a safe distance."

Mears warned of the "gladiatorial" television of today and labelled some wildlife shows "voyeuristic".

He continued: "Television has become very gladiatorial and it's not healthy.

"The voyeurism we are seeing on television has a cost and it's that cost Steve Irwin's family are paying today."

David Bellamy called him "one of the great showmen and conservationists" and wildlife expert Mark O'Shea said it would leave an "immense hole" in the worlds of conservation and television.

Irwin, 44, was filming an underwater sequence for a television series called Ocean's Deadliest on the remote Batt Reef off the north-east coast of Australia when he was killed by a stingray barb.

Crew members aboard Irwin's boat, Croc One, called emergency services in the nearest city, Cairns, and administered cardio pulmonary resuscitation techniques as they rushed the boat to nearby Low Isle to meet a rescue helicopter.

Medical staff pronounced Irwin dead at about noon local time (3am BST), the statement said. Friends say they believe he died instantly.

Those with Irwin said he was swimming in shallow water, snorkelling as his cameraman filmed large bull rays.

Irwin's death was only the third known stingray death in Australian waters, said shark and stingray expert Victoria Brims.

Wildlife experts said the normally passive creatures only sting in defence, striking with a bayonet-like barb when they feel threatened or are trodden on.

Irwin's body was flown to a morgue in Cairns, where stunned family and friends were gathering.

His American-born wife, Terri, was told of her husband's death while on a walking tour in Tasmania, and returned to the Sunshine Coast with her two children, eight-year-old daughter Bindi Sue and son Bob, who will be three in December.

Dr Bellamy called Irwin one of the "world's great conservationists and showmen" and admitted he cried on hearing the news this morning.

He said: "He was magic and for the world of conservation and natural history to lose him is very, very sad.

"Everyone said he imitated me but if I could be as good as him I would be very proud.

"I used to be castigated by people saying I was a showman because I made jokes but what good is it preaching to the converted?"

He continued: "The thing with Steve was he mixed damn good science with showbusiness and I don't know anyone else who did that.

"I'm quite sure all the crocs in Australia are smiling, not crocodile tears, because he made them famous.

"When I heard this morning I cried, the world really has lost a very, very important natural historian."

British zoologist O'Shea said Irwin's death would leave an "immense hole" in the worlds of conservation and television.

O'Shea, who has himself presented television programmes about dangerous reptiles, said Irwin had helped "pave the way" for other people working in the field.

He said: "Although we had different styles of working and I did not know him personally, I am actually completely shocked.

"It is going to leave an immense hole. What he has done for conservation in Australia is massive."

He said that although some "university professors" might have turned their noses up at the way presenters like Irwin portrayed reptiles, he had probably inspired many people to follow a future in conservation.

"A lot of people who now want to study biology and work with animals may not have considered it before they watched him on television," he said.