Irwin's Last TV Special To Air In January
Animal Planet will air Steve Irwin's last TV documentary project, "Ocean's Deadliest," in January, the network has announced.
The 44-year-old animal conservationist was killed on Sept. 4 when he was stabbed by stingray's barb while filming a segment of the special off the Great Barrier Reef.
Phillippe Cousteau, who was aboard Croc One with Irwin during the expedition when he was killed, will narrate the 90-minute documentary.
"Steve has been such an icon for our entire family of networks, including Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel," Billy Campbell, president, Discovery Networks, U.S., said in a statement released by the network. "This exclusive evening of programming on both networks will honor both his past accomplishments and his continued dream of showcasing the wildlife kingdom in order to preserve it."
Animal Planet and The Discovery Channel have scheduled a two-hour programming block, beginning at 8 p.m. for "Ocean's Deadliest" and "Steve Irwin Tribute" which follows at 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 21.Photos: Steve Irwin
In the special, Irwin is joined by explorer and adventurer Cousteau, grandson of the oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, as they explore the waters between Australia's Gold Coast and the Great Barrier Reef.
Irwin was at Batt Reef, off the remote coast of northeastern Queensland state, when he swam too close to one of the stingrays and was stabbed by its poisonous barb.
According to the network, the special shows Irwin and Cousteau as they swim face to face with venomous fish, huge great white sharks and amazing saltwater crocodiles, searching for the region's most dangerous animals.
The tribute that will follows takes a look at Irwin's life. His wife, Terri, and other family members and friends share stories about the vibrant TV personality. The network promises to air never-before-seen footage.