Zoo marks 1st anniversary of Irwin's death

BEERWAH, Australia, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Australia Zoo officials said it planned to mark the first anniversary of Steve Irwin’s death with a quiet, private day of remembrance for family and friends.

The beloved zoo owner, wildlife conservationist and "Crocodile Hunter" TV personality was killed when a stingray pierced his chest on Sept. 4, 2006. He was 44 years old.

Sept. 4 is a day for Steve’s family, friends and fans to reflect, whilst Nov. 15 will be a day of celebration, just the way Steve would have liked," said a statement posted on the zoo’s Web site.

Nov. 15 was designated "Steve Irwin Day" because it was the birthday of one of Irwin’s favorite zoo residents -- Harriet, a 175-year-old Giant Galapagos Land Tortoise, who died in June 2006.

Irwin’s wife, Terri, now owns and operates the zoo, which Irwin's parents opened in 1970 as the Beerwah Reptile Park.

Steve and Terri Irwin can be seen in reruns of “The Crocodile Hunter,” “The Crocodile Hunter Diaries” and “Croc Files,” which are syndicated around the world.

Their 9-year-old daughter stars in the Discovery Kids show, “Bindi the Jungle Girl.”