Irwin's widow thanks fans for support

The American widow of "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin on Wednesday thanked his fans for their kindness and support following the death of her "soul mate," and announced plans for his public memorial next week.

In her first public statement since Irwin's death, Terri Irwin said she "would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support and prayers for my family."

She said a public memorial service would be held next Wednesday on the grounds of the family owned Australia Zoo wildlife park in Queensland state.

Public service

A private service involving family and friends was held around a campfire at the park on Saturday. Irwin was fatally stabbed last Monday by a stingray's barb while filming a TV show off Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Although larger venues for the public event had been suggested, Terri Irwin said her husband would have wanted the service held at the 5,500-seat auditorium, called the "Crocoseum" he built himself.

"I realize that the Crocoseum has a limited capacity ... but I cannot see how a memorial service would work in any other place other than the Crocoseum, which he built here at the zoo and of which he was so proud," the statement said.

"I would therefore ask that everyone please bear with me in this wish and help me to make this happen."

Irwin's death sparked an outpouring of grief in Australia, with thousands of fans turning out to the 25-hectare (60-acre) Australia Zoo to lay flowers, candles, cards, stuffed animals and messages of support scrawled on the exuberant entertainer's trademark khaki shirts.

Live broadcast

Thousands more are expected to turn out for Irwin's memorial, for which free tickets will be distributed in advance, according to Peter Lang, a spokesperson for Australia Zoo.

Large television screens will be set up at venues in Queensland's capital, Brisbane, and the nearby Sunshine Coast, and the event will be broadcast live in Australia, the United States and Asia, the statement said.

Terri Irwin, originally from Eugene, Oregon, and her eight-year-old daughter, Bindi, will speak at the memorial service, along with Irwin's father, Bob, and his close friend and manager, John Stainton. The couple also have a son, Bob, 2. (AP)