Nearly three years after ebullient naturalist Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray, an Italian scuba diver claims to have spotted his ghost swimming at the Great Barrier Reef. Pino Termini said Irwin's specter drifted towards him and added: 'As I started my dive I saw somebody and was surprised because I saw no other boats around, then I noticed that the person had no oxygen tank or mask, the person swam towards me and I realized that it was none other than the crocodile hunter himself: Steve Irwin. I freaked out, but he looked calm and at peace'

'I have seen a lot underwater but never a ghost. It was as if he was looking after the spot where he met his end, I felt that I should not impose myself on his turf as it was his and it seemed as if he was caring for the living creatures there.' Termini said of his traumatic diving experience.

Pino Termini of Naples in the south of Italy has spent more hours underwater than most. Having dived for the Italian Navy for seven years he now spends much of his time traveling the globe in search of the ultimate diving experience. None of this prepared him for what he claims to have seen during his last expedition.

A number of charities to protect wildlife have been set up in Steve Irwin's memory. One of these is Wildlife Warriors: http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au/