Family and friends gathered on Sunday to say their goodbyes to the extraordinary animal lover, Steve Irwin. The "Crocodile Hunter" was buried at a private funeral service at his Australia Zoo over the weekend.
The wildlife expert - who was killed last Monday, aged 44, by a stingray - was laid to rest in a campfire service attended by friends and family who shared their favorite stories of his life.
Steve's father, Bob Irwin, said, "It was what he would have wanted and it put some final closure to his life."
Wes Mannion, director of the Australia Zoo, paid tribute to Steve, who he described as a "100 miles per hour" type of guy.
"I don't think you can ever fill that void. I'll remember Steve as my best mate. He was like my big brother, he was my hero," said Mannion.
A public memorial service for the late T.V. star will be held either tomorrow or on Wednesday at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
Steve's friend and manager John Stainton said the remembrance ceremony would be a "celebration" rather than a mourning session.
"Steve would not have wanted us to have everyone around crying and saying how sad it was," he said.
Steve's widow Terri and children, Bindi, eight, and two-year-old Bob, are set to make their first public appearance after the tragedy at the memorial service.



















