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Irwin Memorial Sparks Ticket Frenzy

The Memorial service for crocodile hunter Steve Irwin is set to take place Wednesday morning at the Australia Zoo`s Crocoseum and tickets for the public service were gone in no time, 15 minutes to be exact. Many camped outside the three ticketing outlets in Queensland for a chance to attend, but hundreds were left empty-handed. There were questions regarding the method of distribution, since only 1,000 tickets were allocated to each
location and the Crocoseum seats around 5,000.

Fans who did not manage to get tickets will be able to see the live broadcast of the memorial via large television screens that will be set up near the Australia Zoo and in the city of Brisbane. In the United States, Animal Planet will air the service on Tuesday. The network`s international channel will also broadcast the memorial in Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In addition, Animal Planet will air a 15-hour marathon of Irwin`s greatest hits Sunday, titled `Crocs Rule! A Tribute to Steve Irwin`. Among the aired clips you will find Irwin`s most memorable moments, and friends and colleagues will offer personal recollections of Irwin.

Irwin, known as the Crocodile Hunter, died last week when a stingray`s barb stabbed him in the chest while he was shooting a documentary film. His family and friends held a private funeral for him last weekend. His wife Terri and the couple`s daughter Bindi are expected to speak at the service, along with Irwin`s father.