Crocodile Hunter cleared of trespass
Date: 16-Jul-04
Country: AUSTRALIA
The Australian government's environment department launched an investigation in June, examining 18 hours of unedited footage, after complaints Irwin breached laws forbidding interaction with Antarctic animals such as whales, seals and penguins last year.
Irwin was filmed in the Antarctic taking a dip with two giant humpback whales, playing around with penguins and lounging with leopard seals. He denied riding a whale, saying he was just "bobbing around" in the water when the whales came up to him.
Prime Minister John Howard said yesterday the investigation had now been completed and Irwin cleared of any misconduct during the filming of his documentary "Ice Breaker" that has already been screened in the United States.
"I have been told that no action of any kind is necessary," Howard told Sky Television yesterday.
Interacting with Antarctic wildlife is illegal and swimming with whales is banned - with breaches of the law attracting fine of up to A$1 million (390,000 pounds) and two years in jail.
This was the second time this year that Irwin - whose television show The Crocodile Hunter has achieved international success - has found himself in trouble with the authorities.
Earlier this year the effervescent, khaki-clad Irwin triggered outrage when he held his one-month-old baby in one arm while feeding a snapping crocodile during a show at his Australian Zoo in the east coast state of Queensland.
