Discovery Communications mourns the death of Steve Irwin

Mumbai, Sep 10 (UNI) Discovery Communications is deeply saddened by the tragic and sudden loss of Steve Irwin, the 'crocodile hunter'.

Steve was a beloved of millions of animal lovers around the world and was one of our planet's most passionate conservationists.

He has graced Animal Planet's air since October 1996 and was essential in building Animal Planet into a global brand, a release here said.

Steve was killed during a filming expedition. We are still collecting details of this rare accident in which Steve swam over a stingray and was stung by its barb in the chest. A doctor on board was unable to resuscitate Steve and by the time a rescue helicopter reached him he had died.

'' Steve was larger than life. He brought joy and learning about the natural world to 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,'' DCI founder and chairman John Mendricks said.

'' I don't think we will ever get over the loss of Steve Irwin, a human being of enormous feeling and irrepressible enthusiasm and dedication to everything he touched,'' DCI CEO and President Judith McHale said.

DCI is planning to create the Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter Fund which it expects to affectionately call ''The Crikey Fund''. The fund will be established to honour Steve's passion and exuberance for conservation and the animal kingdom and is expected to provide a way for people from across the globe to make contributions in Steve's honour to support wildlife protection education and conservation.

The fund will provide support to Steve's Australia Zoo in Beewan , Australia as well as educational support for his children Bindi and Bob Irwin.

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