Irwin set for reserve honour

Late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwim is set to be posthumously honoured with an Australian wildlife reserve in his name.

The Queensland government has devoted a 33,585 acre chunk of land near Weipa to be named Irwin Park.

The area will house endangered northern quoll - a carnivorous marsupial - and the speartooth shark.

Irwin's widow Terri enthuses: "Steve was in awe of the prolific wildlife of the Wenlock and Ducie rivers bordering the reserve and he would have been proud to see the property protected as a wildlife reserve."

Australian Prime Minister John Howard says, "This is a fitting tribute to a passionate environmentalist and a great Australian."