ITV

Tag: Animal Planet

  • Discovery US, Intl undergoes corporate retructuring

    Discovery US, Intl undergoes corporate retructuring

    MUMBAI: After taking over the reins of US broadcaster Discovery earlier this year its CEO David Zaslav is ringing in the changes at the senior management level.

    Some key people will leave. They are Discovery US president Billy Campbell. Discovery international president Dawn McCall, Animal Planet president and GM Maureen Smith, The Learning Channel president David Abraham and senior executive VP human resources Pandit Wright.

    Campbell and Smith’s positions have been eliminated. Media reports state that Animal Planet will now be consolidated with Discovery’s other family-centric networks under the heading Animal Planet Media and Discovery Kids Media, That group will be led by Marjorie Kaplan, who is being promoted to president and gm of the new unit. She was earlier Discovery Kids GM.

    The bad news does not stop there. Reports add that broader layoffs are expected. Zaslav had said that if the broadcaster is to invest more in new media and business, then it has to invest less in infrastructure. Therefore he is taking a long look at the firm’s traditional cost basis.

    Discovery has hired Joel Berman, former president of CBS Paramount Worldwide Television, and Tom Wolzien, a veteran media analyst as consultants. Reports add that the shakup is a sign that companies are having to adjust in the face of the advent of digital media.

    Zaslav in a staff memo says that the focus is to create a lean and aggressive organization that fosters a real performance culture. “The objective is to push authority and accountability down across the company.”

  • Animal Planet circles the globe for ‘Animal Battlegrounds’

    Animal Planet circles the globe for ‘Animal Battlegrounds’

    MUMBAI: The battle between animal predator and prey may look like a straightforward duel between evenly matched opponents, but there is a third factor in these confrontations – the battleground itself.

    The arenas which stage these epic battles are more than just passive backdrops. Battlegrounds are often overlooked, but they are dynamic, dominant and controlling places. The ever changing landscape can tip the balance between the hunter and the hunted – it’s the battleground itself that determines who lives and who dies.

    Now Animal Planet takes a closer look at the showground for these conflicts in Animal Battlegrounds which will air every Saturday at 8:30 pm with a repeat every Wednesday at 11:30 pm.

    The show reveals the effect of the battleground on the hunter and the hunted and how changes in the battleground influence the result of these battles. Viewers explore how each animal has learned to use the dynamic battleground to their own advantage. Battlegrounds have a temperament all of their own and each episode will look at the character of the landscape and how the battleground affects the outcome of all animal battles.
    Travelling across the globe, viewers visit battlegrounds from the polar wastes to the scorching deserts; from the richness of the rainforests to our colorful seas; from the expanses of the world’s flat grasslands to the heights of its snowy mountains. The battlegrounds include Rivers, Seas, Air, Wetlands and Grasslands. Each episode will analyze four epic predator-prey battles in the context of these dynamic battlegrounds.

    The first episode Tundra looks at a vast area of barren treeless plains, most of which lies in the Arctic where the ground is permanently frozen. Viewers look at how golden eagles use precision flying to attack mountain hares in the Highlands of Scotland and how the hares use the seasonal changes in vegetation to their advantage.

    Also, this programme tells the story of how barnacle geese in the tundra in Greenland use the sanctuary of 20 story high cliffs to nest safely from predators and how their starving flightless chicks then have to make a death defying leap to reach the ground and food. Finally, viewers see how one of the longest migrations on earth is driven by one of the smallest animals, the mosquito.

    In Rivers the show looks at how the environment, and changes within it, affects both predators and prey, often shifting the advantage from one to the other. This episode looks at rivers. Their depth, speed, turbulence and turbidity all influence the outcome of battles between predators and prey. Grizzly bears try to catch salmon in Alaska. Mayfly nymphs and adults dodge trout in Britain. Kingfishers dive for minnows as the seasons change in Europe. Piranhas battle through the wet and dry season in Venezuela.

  • Animal Planet, Discovery to air Steve Irwin’s final film next year

    Animal Planet, Discovery to air Steve Irwin’s final film next year

    MUMBAI: Earlier this year animal lovers bemoan premature loss of animal expert and conservationist Steve Irwin who used to host shows on Animal Planet and was known as “The Crocodile Hunter.”

    On 21 January, 2007 US fans can both reflect on Irwin’s legacy with the Steve Irwin Tribute and also check out his last television project, Ocean’s Deadliest. The two-hour television event will be broadcast simultaneously on The Discovery Channel and Animal Planet in the US.

    Discovery US president Billy Campbell says, “Steve has been such an con for our entire family of networks, including Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel.

    This exclusive evening of programming on both networks will honour both his past accomplishments and his continued dream of showcasing the wildlife kingdom in order to preserve it.”

    In Ocean’s Deadliest lurking only a few feet below the surface of eastern Australia’s crystalline ocean are some of the most dangerous animals on the planet. For thousands of years, venomous snakes, salt-water crocodiles and immense sharks have patrolled these waters. Now in the hope of studying nature’s most dangerous creations, two adventurers embark on an epic mission that requires leadership of an experienced, knowledgeable and fearless crew.

    The late Irwin is joined by oceanographer and adventurer Philippe Cousteau, grandson of the famous oceanographer Jacques Cousteau as they explore the waters between Australia’s Gold Coast and the Great Barrier Reef.

    Throughout this expedition, Philippe and Steve come face to face with venomous fish, huge great white sharks and amazing saltwater crocodiles as they search for the region’s most dangerous animal. Along the way, they will meet the scientific experts who work with these creatures on a regular basis, learning the reason why they have evolved with such dangerous defenses and also learning that in truth, they fill a role in the overall ecosystem that is vital and cannot be overlooked.

    Their adventure features moments, including subduing a giant croc in order to attach a satellite tracking device; observing the feeding behaviour of the great white shark while safely tucked away inside a dive cage; and working with the Australian experts who capture deadly sea snakes in order to supply anti-venom to the rest of the world.

    Cousteau, who was aboard Croc One with Irwin during the expedition when he was struck and killed by a stingray, narrates the 90- minute documentary.

  • Animal Planet once again looks at ‘Animal Icons’

    Animal Planet once again looks at ‘Animal Icons’

    MUMBAI: Animal Planet which is devoted to the animal world has announced that its show Animal Icons has returned.

    The show looks at animals of fact and fiction that have sparked pop culture frenzies and merchandising mammoths for generations. From comic book heroes like Batman to larger-than-life Hollywood giants like King Kong, creative writers and artists have taken endless inspiration from real – but no less remarkable – earth-roaming animals.

    Each episode looks at different phenomena – ranging from cartoons to fast cars to holiday tales to cinematic adventures – generated by human fascination with these amazing animals. The show will air every Sunday at 11 pm.

    Viewers follow interviews with historians, animal experts and celebrities of the human variation to discover the evolution of real-life animals to extraordinary idols that have captivated the imaginations and adventurous spirits of people for generations.

    This season includes appearances by famous personalities like directors Steven Spielberg and John Landis, writer Stan Lee and actors Kurt Russel, David Hasselhoff and Jeff Goldblum. Combined with film clips and rare footage, each episode helps to answer the question: why have these characters become pop culture icons around the globe?
    The episode Animated Animals airs on 26 November 2006. It takes a fast-paced, funny and informative tour through the history of cartoon cinema and television, to explain how animals in animation are usually metaphors for the best, worst and funniest aspects of human behaviour.

    Comic Book Creatures airs on 3 December, 2006. From comic book heroes like Batman to larger-than-life Hollywood giants like King Kong, this episode looks at different phenomena – ranging from cartoons to fast cars to holiday tales to cinematic adventures, generated by human fascination with these amazing animals.

    Animals On Wheels airs on 10 December. This episode will feature the fastest – and fastest-selling – automobiles to hit the roads, as well as the men and women who love them. It offers a look at how cars and animals have become irrevocably intertwined.

  • Animal Planet looks at Bamboo Flowers

    Animal Planet looks at Bamboo Flowers

    MUMBAI: Animal Planet will air the show When The Bamboo Flowers. Normally a vital and versatile plant for villagers in northeast India, bamboo sets off cycles of famine and plague once every 48 years – a rare, yet ruinous occurrence for the local human population.

    For rats, however, it’s a feast for the ages – a colossal feeding that has beset the region for centuries leaving thousands of ravenous rats and widespread human deprivation in its wake. The show airs on 12 November at 9 pm and on 15 November at 8 pm

    The show brings Animal Planet viewers to Mizoram, a rugged hill state in northeast India. It has been 48 years since the bamboo last flowered and villagers are anxiously preparing for the impending invasion. The strange phenomenon of the flowering of the bamboo is unique to northeast India, which is home to vast plantations of the tree-like plant.

    After the massive cyclical flowering, the bamboo plants produce large amounts of seeds – a good food source for rats, which quadruple their reproduction rate while feeding. The explosion of the rat population results in quick exhaustion of the seeds, leading thousands of rodents to turn to standing crops of the agricultural villages. The result is a widespread famine and, more often than not, plague.

    Back in 1958, famine led to nearly two decades of insurgency in the region and tens of thousands of people perished. Now, in 2006, the bamboo is flowering again and Animal Planet visits the villagers as they prepare for inevitable catastrophe, hoping this time that the outcome is different.

  • Concrete Pictures helps brand Discovery Mobile

    Concrete Pictures helps brand Discovery Mobile

    MUMBAI: Recognising and responding to the needs of an evolving media landscape, Concrete Pictures has extended the efforts of its team to include mobile phone platforms.

    The creative agency has announced the completion of a branding and graphics package for the recently launched Discovery Mobile, a 24-hour mobile programming network featuring original content from across Discovery’sfamily of networks including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel and Discovery Health Channel.

    T“Tackling the design challenges of mobile phones, Concrete delivered a graphics package that is visually engaging, representative of the Discovery brand and well-suited for the small screen,” said Douglas Craig, vice president, new media, Discovery Communications.

    Spearheading the Discovery project for Concrete Pictures was Paul Westergard, Creative Director. His creative crew designed a graphics package based entirely on organic boxes, which open, close and shift around the screen to reveal new information. The compact nature of mobile phone screens demanded that the graphics be over-sized with a dark background, so Concrete’s team incorporated this into the logo animations and menu bumpers created for the project.

    Concrete Pictures’ senior VP, creative services Andy Hann says, “We have enjoyed a long and rewarding working relationship with Discovery Communications. This latest project added a new dimension to the whole picture, and we look forward to continuing to expand this area of our business with Discovery and other partners.”

  • Animal Planet to kick off ‘Award Winning Animal Planet’ on 16 October

    Animal Planet to kick off ‘Award Winning Animal Planet’ on 16 October

    MUMBAI: Animal Planet celebrates its accolades with its viewers by bringing some of its best and International award winning programmes under one series, Award Winning Animal Planet. The special package will be aired every Monday at 9 pm and repeated every Tuesday at 4 pm, starting 16 October.

    Over the years, Animal Planet has garnered awards globally in various International Film and Video festivals for its programming. These awards are presented, recognising the excellence in television programming, photography, writing, by some of the eminent institutions like Emmy Awards, Aurora Awards, Asian Television Awards, New York festivals and Wild Screen festival.

    Animal Planet’s Award Winning Programmes include –

    1. Jane Goodall’s State Of The Great Ape – 16 October 2006

    Jane Goodall’s State of the Great Ape examines the situation facing the four great apes – gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans and bonobos. Experts like Jane predict that great apes have just 20 years left in the wild unless we act to help them. State of the great ape visits the front line to reveal the lives of these people and the amazing animals they are fighting for.

    Event – 2005 US International Film & Video Festival
    Award – Second place for the Silver Screen Award in the Nature/Environment 
    category

    Event – 2005 International Wildlife Festival
    Award – Finalist Award and the Merit Award in the Conservation Message category

    Event – 2005 Omni Intermedia Awards
    Award – Silver Statue award in the Nature category

    2. The Biggest Nose In Borneo – 23 October 2006

    The programme follows Alastair, alpha male that has more than 20 wives. He has more than 40 offspring and since reproducing offspring is the primary goal of all proboscis monkeys, he spends the majority of his day mating. Viewers witness the drama for themselves, as well as discover how the monkeys survive in the dwindling jungles, deal with death in the family and endure terrible droughts in the The Biggest Nose in Borneo.

    Event – 2005, The 15th International Wildlife Film Festival in Albert, France
    Award – Best Script

    3. Gorilla Gorilla – 30 October 2006

    Gorilla numbers worldwide have been decimated by man’s greed and cruelty and environmental damage caused by incessant African wars, poaching and the rape of the landscape by big businesses. This programme tells the story of Damian Aspinall’s first major project to create new gorilla groups just by rescuing local orphaned African gorillas, and then by relocating young gorillas reared in England in their natural African habitat.

    Event – 2005 New York Festivals
    Award – Bronze Worldmedal in the Nature/Environment category

    Event – 2005 Aurora Awards Film and Video competition
    Award – Platinum Best of Show award in the Nature/Environment category

    4. Lyndal’s Lifeline – 6 November 2006

    Animal advocate Lyndal Davies travelled around the world to make a real difference for species in peril with the Animal Planet series Lyndal’s Lifeline. In the series, Lyndal presented six grass-roots rehabilitation centers with Animal Planet’s US$10,000 donation and joined the local teams as they made the crucial decision of how to use the funds.

    Event – 2005 International Documentary Association Awards
    Award – Finalist in the Continuing Series category

    Programme – Lyndal’s Lifeline: Elephant Alert
    Event – 2005 US International Film & Video Festival
    Award – Third place for the Certificate in Creative Excellence in the Nature 
    /Environment category

    Programme – Lyndal’s Lifeline: Koala Crisis
    Event – 2005 Omni Intermedia Awards
    Awards – Bronze Statue award in the Nature category

    5. The Temple Of The Tigers – 13 November 2006

    In a small, isolated monastery in northern Thailand, a handful of simple, peace-loving Buddhist monks perform their daily duties – praying, collecting alms and feeding their 10 wild Bengal tigers. The Temple of Tigers is the remarkable story of a group of 10 monks who have taken on the task of protecting the endangered animals by offering them a home within the walls of their temple.

    Event – 2006 U.S. International Film and Video Festival
    Award – Silver Screen Award in the Nature, Wildlife category

    Event – 2006 New York Festivals
    Award – Finalist Certificate in the Nature & Wildlife category as well

    Event – 2005 Aurora Awards Film and Video competition
    Award – Platinum Best of Show award in the Nature/Environment category

    Event – 2005 Omni Intermedia Awards
    Award – Gold Statue award in the Nature category

    6. Tiger Zero – 23 November 2006

    Tiger Zero – a special programme that reveals the root behind India’s second tiger crisis. In the early hours of 1 February 2005, the Delhi police raided a warehouse basement and discovered a huge stock of wildlife remains. The haul included two tiger skins, three kilograms of tiger claws, 14 tiger canines, 10 tiger jaw bones, 60 kilograms of tiger and leopard paws and what appeared to have been pieces of tiger clavicle bone. As the situation becomes critical, Indian tiger expert Valmik Thapar examines the case and also shares his experience about the tigers of the prestigious Ranthambore National Park.

    Event – 2006 Omni Intermedia Awards
    Award – Bronze statue awards also in the Nature category

    Event – 2006 International Wildlife Film Festival
    Award – Best Conservation Message

    7. Meerkat Manor – 27 November 2006

    Meerkat Manor is real-life drama with a difference – the main protagonists are 12 inches high, live underground in burrows and survive on a diet of worms, insects and lizards. Following the everyday life from family squabbles to love affairs of a unique gang of meerkats, Animal Planet presents an intimate portrait of these curious and entertaining creatures as they live their lives in Africa’s Kalahari Desert.

    Event – 2006 Omni Intermedia Awards
    Award – Two gold statue awards in the Nature and Cinematography / Videography / 
    Photography categories and also garnered a silver statue award in the Writing category

    Event – 2006 New York Festivals
    Award – Gold World medal in the Nature & Wildlife category

    Event – 2005 Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival
    Award – Finalist in the Best Animal Behavioural Program category

    8. Equator: Power of an Ocean – 4 December 2006

    The Equator, a.k.a latitude zero, is the line that splits the world. But it is far more than just a line on a map that divides the hemispheres; it is a line of life and a powerful force of nature. Power of an Ocean explores the sea life of the Galapagos Islands featuring the boobies as they gamble the lives of their chicks and Galapagos penguins flying through enormous schools of fish.

    Event – 2006 New York Festivals
    Award – Gold World medal in the Nature & Wildlife category

    9. Bugging with Ruud: Amazon, Kill or Cure – 11 December 2006

    Host and entomologist Ruud Kleinpaste takes Animal Planet viewers around the world to find some of the weirdest, ugliest, prettiest, and dangerous bugs. Using entertaining stunts and humorous analogies, Ruud demonstrates the amazing capabilities that many insects have, and how they translate in human terms. Ruud believes that if you understand bugs, you can learn to live with them… and maybe even love them.

    Event – 2006 New York Festivals
    Award – Silver medal in the Nature & Wildlife category

    10. Sacred Animals of the Pharoahs – 18 December 2006

    The animal kingdom of ancient Egypt was both worshipped and exploited by humans. Sacred Animals of the Pharaohs takes a fascinating look at their story, told through the eyes of the creatures that were considered sacred in Egyptian mythology, from their lives in the natural world to their slaughter at the hands of priests.

    Event – 2006 Omni Intermedia Awards
    Award – Bronze statue awards also in the Nature category

    11. Tarantula: Australia’s King of Spiders – 25 December 2006

    This program explores the secret lives of these ancient crawlers and tracks the findings of Dr. Robert Raven, arachnologist and Senior Curator of Spiders at Australia’s Queensland Museum. His unrivalled knowledge guides viewers through an extensive web of intrigue surrounding these creepy creatures. Love them or loathe them, Tarantula: Australia’s King Of Spiders sheds new light on the hairy tales of these extraordinary spiders.

    Event – 2006 New York Festivals
    Award -Bronze medal in the Nature & Wildlife category

  • The big cat leaps on Animal Planet this month

    The big cat leaps on Animal Planet this month

    MUMBAI: In conjunction with World Animal Day, Animal Planet celebrates the beauty and diversity of the big cats of the wild.

    The channel says that these endangered species around the world face the possible threat of extinction. For one week, viewers can leap into the lives of the stealthiest predators on the planet during this special programming event. Viewers will learn about the hidden feline beneath these ferocious creatures, and find out how our efforts at conservation could keep them alive for our future generations.

    Action Big Cat Week airs till 6 October at 8 pm and will repeat next day at 3 pm.

    Wild cats the channel says continue to amaze researchers, wildlife documentary filmmakers and viewers around the world with their incredible abilities and ever-changing behaviours. Animal Planet showcases these magnificent beasts as they hunt prey, battle threats and develop relationships in some of the most dangerous communities in the world.

    The special shares stories of crisis, tragedy, success, compassion and strength while bringing exclusive looks at the most exciting feline predators in the world directly into viewers’ homes.

    A team employs remote-control buggy cameras, buried periscopes and state-of-the-art night vision technology to truly enter the lion’s den in the one-hour programme Lion – Spy In The Den. When a lion charges, the viewers charge with it; when it rests, viewers lie alongside. In what is a new achievement for lion specialists the show is able to examine the fragile alliances between pride males and their relationships with neighboring rivals.

    Leopard Hunters explores the magnificent and mysterious cats of Sri Lanka in . Yala National Park is the jewel of Sri Lanka. Ancient temples and Buddhist dagbas – ruins of a lost civilisation – remain scattered throughout the wild jungles. The stretches of golden sands along the coast and miles of steamy jungle make the park one of the most beautiful sights on the island. This untouched wilderness is home to herds of elephant, buffalo, sloth bears, crocodiles, jungle cats and elusive leopards.

    It is the leopards of Yala National Park that have fascinated two young men. Ravi – a newly qualified doctor – and Jehan – a businessman – were so captivated by the leopards that they have dedicated the last three years of their lives to studying them. The special reveals their unique and amazing behavior and brings the leopards of Yala to the screen as never before.

    Return of the Cheetah airs tonight 3 October 2006
    Wildlife expert Peter Gros heads to Namibia for a week’s assignment at the Cheetah Conservation Fund – a uniquely ambitious project aimed at safeguarding the world’s fastest sprinter. In an action-packed visit, Peter teams up with Namibia’s “Cheetah Lady,” Dr. Laurie Marker, and finds out how science, diplomacy and a dash of imagination can turn a situation of despair into one of hope.
    Alphonse Roy’s Great Cats of India airs on 4 October 2006. Roy captures documentary portraits of all of India’s four great cats – lion, tiger, leopard and the ever-elusive snow leopard. Viewers follow Alphonse throughout the whole filmmaking process, from the often-arduous journeys to remote locations, to setting up specialized field equipment and, of course, the actual filming. Along the way viewers meet the many friends and colleagues that Alphonse has worked with over the years to help with his task, from local feudal overlords to leading scientific experts and conservation officers.

  • Animal Planet Intl to broadcast programming trubute to Steve Irwin

    New Delhi, September 09, 2006: As the world continues to mourn the loss of Steve Irwin, Animal Planet International will broadcast a special full day programming tribute beginning on Sunday, 10th September at midnight. The event will highlight Steve’s background and personal history, from his early days at Australia Zoo, to his worldwide fame as the Crocodile Hunter, as well as his boundless passion for wildlife and his family. This special programming marathon will feature some of the best episodes from the long-running Crocodile Hunter series, which showcase Steve’s dedication to conservation and his exuberant approach to educating viewers about the natural world.

    Discovery Communications is deeply saddened by the tragic and sudden loss of Steve Irwin, who was beloved by millions of fans and 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.

    Rebecca Batties, Executive Vice President of Creative Development for Discovery Networks International, overseeing Animal Planet International said, “Steve was a true pioneer and heralded a fresh and innovative approach to wildlife filmmaking. He invigorated the genre and introduced a new generation of viewers to the natural world with his joyful, enthusiastic style. We are celebrating his legacy by showcasing his unforgettable work on Animal Planet.”

    Animal Planet is proud to broadcast the following programs as part of Sunday’s special tribute:

     

    Start Time
    Programme Title

    00:00
    Operation: Bunya Rescue

    1:00
    Lights! Croc! Action!

    2:00
    Crocodile Hunter Wildest Home Videos

    3:00
    Captured On Camera

    4:00
    They Shoot Crocodiles, Don’t They?

    5:00
    Search For A Super Croc

    6:00
    Steve’s Singapore Safari

    7:00
    Final Entry

    8:00
    Confessions Of The Crocodile Hunter

    9:00
    Steve’s Story

    10:00
    Crocodile Hunter Up Over The Down Under

    11:00
    Outback To Hollywood

    12:00
    Operation: Bunya Rescue

    13:00
    Lights! Croc! Action!

    14:00
    Crocodile Hunter Wildest Home Videos

    15:00
    Captured On Camera

    16:00
    They Shoot Crocodiles, Don’t They?

    17:00
    Search For A Super Croc

    18:00
    Steve’s Singapore Safari

    19:00
    Final Entry

    20:00
    Confessions Of The Crocodile Hunter

    21:00
    Steve’s Story

    22:00
    Crocodile Hunter Up Over The Down Under

    23:00
    Outback To Hollywood

     

    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 Garden .”

    In addition, DCI is planning to create the Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter 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 honor to support wildlife protection, education and conservation.

    Immediate contributions in the memory of Steve Irwin can be made to the Wildlife Warriors Fund at www.wildlifewarriors.org.au

    Animal Planet grabs you. The world’s leading animal entertainment brand, Animal Planet reaches 195 million subscribers in more than 160 countries outside of the United States with programming customized in 24 languages. Offering intrigue, adventure, humor, relationships, life and death, Animal Planet is the only television network on the planet dedicated to people’s fascination with animals. A joint venture between Discovery Communications and BBC Worldwide, Animal Planet launched in India in 1998 and is currently distributed to 24 million subscribers in the region.

  • Animal Planet’s ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin killed while filming documentary

    Animal Planet’s ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin killed while filming documentary

    MUMBAI: One of television’s popular personalities Steve Irwin has passed away. Irwin who is well known to viewers of Animal Planet for Crocodile Hunter died after he was wounded by a stingray barb to his heart. He was filming a sequence on Batt Reef in Australia for his daughter’s new TV series.

    Media reports state that a helicopter rushed paramedics to nearby Low Isles where Irwin was taken for treatment, but he was dead before they arrived. A stingray’s barb is said to be as dangerous as a rifle bayonet.

    He is only the third person in Australia to die from being stabbed by a stingray. Irwin became famious on television for placing himself in precarious situations with animals like snakes and crocodiles. His fascination for animals stemmed from the fact that he grew up near crocodiles, trapping and removing them from populated areas and releasing them in his parent’s park.