Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin's sudden death has sent shock waves around Australia and the world.
The 44-year-old was killed when a stingray barb punctured his chest as he was filming a documentary off north Queensland on Monday.
Prime Minister John Howard said Irwin was a typical Australian larrikin who brought joy to millions.
"I am quite shocked and distressed at Steve Irwin's sudden, untimely and freakish death," Howard told reporters.
"It's a huge loss to Australia.
"He was a wonderful character. He was a passionate environmentalist. He brought joy and entertainment and excitement to millions of people."
A "bloke like you and I"
Two of Steve Irwin's closest friends have described him as a "bloke like you and I" and not affected by his celebrity status.
Kevin Phillips, who shared an interest in sharks and was due to go diving with Irwin on Thursday, said he was down to earth despite being a household name in Australia and overseas.
"Off-camera Steve Irwin was a bloke just like you and I," Phillips told the Nine Network.
"Still very passionate about his cause and for such a celebrity he is so very polite," he said.
"There was a time when his phone rung while we'd been sitting at the table and he apologised for the interruption."
Another close friend of Irwin's was director of the Australian Reptile Park on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, John Weigel.
Weigel said he was shocked by Irwin's death.
"It is devastating to a lot of people I think," Weigel said.
"He was larger than life. He carried a lot of star quality.
"He walked into the room like someone had opened the window and let the light in.
"He seemed invincible and it's a great shock that it could happen."
Irwin, 44, died in a freak accident on the Great Barrier Reef when a stingray barb pierced his chest.
The Crocodile Hunter is believed to have died instantly when struck by the stingray while filming a sequence for a new TV series.
Weigel said Irwin was passionate about wildlife.
"The appreciation he brought the Australian public and the whole world of native wildlife ... opened a whole new world for us and it allowed him to do his conservation activities and open tourism in Queensland," he said.
"There is a lot to be grateful for."
Phillips said he had not spoken to Irwin's American-born wife wife Terri.
"I understand Terri has been hiking in the wilderness area in Tasmania," Phillips said.
"I've not spoken to Terri. I'm sure she is devastated."
Irwin's death to "leave a hole"
A British zoologist said the death of "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin would leave an "immense hole" in the worlds of conservation and television.
Mark O'Shea, who has himself presented television programmes about dangerous reptiles, said Irwin had helped "pave the way" for other people working in the field.
O'Shea said: "Although we had different styles of working and I did not know him personally I am actually completely shocked.
"It is going to leave an immense hole. What he has done for conservation in Australia is massive."
He said that although some "university professors" might have turned their noses up at the way presenters like Irwin portrayed reptiles, he had probably inspired many people to follow a future in conservation.
"A lot of people who now want to study biology and work with animals may not have considered it before they watched him on television," he said.
A great ambassador
Professor Jeff Wilks from the University of Queensland said Irwin had been a great ambassador for Australia as a tourist destination.
"He went international with a dual message - `the audience don't have to get as close to the critters as I do to enjoy the close encounter that I'm providing', but with a very clear conservation and commitment message," Wilks said.
"There are some scary creatures out here but the message also was that `you can get close to them and enjoy the experience vicariously through me'.
"You can't replace the man. You can continue the message but he was unique."
