TV croc man could face jail

TV wildlife expert Steve Irwin could be fined or even jailed for allegedly riding two humpback whales during the making of a new documentary.

Irwin, presenter of TV series The Crocodile Hunter, is being investigated in Australia over several encounters during the making of his one-hour Ice Breaker show in Antarctica.

The US Animal Planet channel boasts that Irwin 'slides down hillsides with penguins, almost rubs noses with the notoriously dangerous leopard seals and spends the most inspiring time with two friendly humpback whales.'

Officials have demanded to see a tape and out-takes from the show, to be shown in America on Friday.

Australian law prohibits interacting too closely with Antarctic wildlife. Irwin - who was criticised earlier this year for feeding a crocodile while holding his baby son - described the claims as 'just a big storm in a teacup'.

He insisted he was sitting on an iceberg near the whales when he was seen by a passing ship. 'They saw it from a mile or half a mile away - they thought that I was riding a whale, which is absolutely ludicrous,' he said.