He may be gone, but Steve “Crocodile Hunter” Irwin is far from being forgotten in his home country. The dedicated environmentalist, who was killed in a stingray attack last year, will be honored with a new wildlife reserve in Australia.
According to government officials, a 333,585-acre chunk of land located in the far northern portion of Irwin’s home state of Queensland will be named after the popular television host and managed by his family (including his chip-off-the-block daughter, Bindi).
The area currently houses a number of endangered species including the northern quoll, a carnivorous marsupial, and the speartooth shark. (Irwin, who donated large portions of the money he earned from his television show on animal conservation projects, reportedly took a keen interest in sharks.) The area is also home to an important gallery of dry vine forests.
Irwin’s family says they are humbled by the honor and vowed to continue Steve’s conservation work.
“Steve was in awe of the prolific wildlife of the Wenlock and Ducie rivers bordering the reserve and he would have been proud to see the property protected as a wildlife reserve,” Irwin’s wife, Terri, told reporters shortly after the announcement was made.
Government officials say the new park is an important addition to Australia’s national reserve system, “and is a fitting tribute to a passionate environmentalist and a great Australian.”
He may not roll with crocodiles like Steve Irwin, but Eric Braeden, who has played ruthless tycoon Victor Newman on “The Young and the Restless” for more than 25 years, knows a thing or two about dealing with piranhas and snakes. (Well, at least Victor does.)
Braeden’s co-stars who play vixens and barracudas on the hit daytime drama were on hand Friday when the actor received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, a friend and an avid fan of the show was also on hand for the big event, as was former heavyweight boxing champion Ken Norton.
Sixty-six-year-old Braeden received star No. 2,342 on Hollywood Boulevard and reminisced about his tenure on the long running soap. He joined the cast of the CBS soap in 1980 and won an Emmy for his role in 1998.