Discovery announces Irwin 'Crikey' fund tribute
US-based television company Discovery Communications (DCI) says it will establish a fund in honour of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, to support wildlife conservation.
Billy Campbell, president for Discovery Networks in the US, says the fund will allow people from across the globe to make contributions in Irwin's honour to support wildlife protection, education and conservation.
"DCI is looking at the creation of the Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter Fund, which we'll affectionately call 'The Crikey Fund' to honour Steve's passion and exuberance for conservation and the animal kingdom," he said.
He says the company also plans to rename a garden at its headquarters for Irwin, help establish a fund to educate his children, Bindi and Bob, and broadcast a marathon showing of his programs.
"The fund, in addition to contributions by DCI, will also aid Steve's Australia Zoo in Beewah, Australia as well as educational support for Bindi and Bob Irwin.
"He'll always be a part of Discovery,"
Mr Campbell says Irwin graced the airwaves since October 1996 and was essential in building Animal Planet into a global brand.
"To honour Steve and the enormous contribution he made to the world and to our company, DCI will rename the garden space in front of Discovery's world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, the 'Steve Irwin Memorial Sensory Garden'," he said.
Irwin died earlier yesterday aged 44 after being stabbed in the chest by a stingray off the coast in far north Queensland in Australia.
He was on a filming expedition for Discovery's Animal Planet network.
Discovery says in a statement that Irwin helped bring the channel to worldwide attention.
"His show was one of the first true breakout hits, not only for Animal Planet, but for our company," Annie Howell said, a spokeswoman for the parent company, Discovery Communications.
Irwin's program was among the initial offerings on the fledgling Animal Planet network when it was launched in 1996, Maureen Smith says, general manager for Animal Planet.
US ratings spiked and the company realised it had a hit.
"He became part of pop culture very quickly," Ms Smith said.
Irwin leaves behind several uncompleted projects, including the one he was working on at the time of his death, Ms Smith says.
However, he and his production partner John Stainton have a trove of material that has not been aired, she says.
She says Irwin also had several programs in post-production, including two travel shows.
Irwin's existing series will continue to air for some time, Ms Smith also says. |
