Aus entertainer under probe

2004-01-03 08:21

Brisbane, Australia - An investigation has been ordered after famous Australian crocodile hunter Steve Irwin fed a crocodile while holding his month-old baby, the Queensland state government said on Saturday.

Scores of concerned people rang Queensland state Families Department care crisis hotline late on Friday after a news bulletin featured a segment showing Irwin feeding dead chicken to the four-metre crocodile while clutching the baby, Bob, in his other arm.

The incident occurred during a packed show at the Irwins' Australia Zoo reptile park at Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast.

His wife Terri looked on as Irwin told the crowd: "He's a one-month-old so it's about time Bob got out there and did his first croc demo."

Minister for Families Judy Spence said in a statement: "I've seen the footage and while I have no doubt the Irwins love their children very much, I believe it was an error of judgement to place a baby in a potentially dangerous situation.

"It sets a bad example to other parents. We are concerned that people involved in public entertainment provide proper safety guards for children."

The matter would be investigated by the department which wanted to examine all available information, including seeking a copy of the unedited video and the safety precautions and protocol Irwin was following, she said.

It had to be ascertained whether the Irwins breached workplace health and safety regulations.

However, it was unclear what, if any, sanctions Irwin could face from the department if he was found to have been in breach of safety regulations.

Members of the public also made a number of calls complaining about the stunt to local police, who gave Irwin a dressing-down.

"Police did attend the zoo yesterday just as a courtesy to let him know that people were objecting to the behaviour," said a police spokesperson.

"But as far as we can see he has committed no criminal offence and is not under any investigation."

A spokesperson for Australia Zoo said Irwin would not be commenting until later in the day.

International television news programs compared the incident to Michael Jackson's dangling of his infant son over a fourth floor hotel balcony in Berlin in November 2002.

- AFP