Irwin was a 'cheap reality TV star': PETA

While fans all over the world have been mourning the tragic death of Steve Irwin, the animal lovers at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals aren't shedding even 'crocodile tears' for the naturalist.

The animal rights group's Dan Mathews has slammed the Crocodile  Hunter, saying it's "no shock at all" that Irwin died the way he did. He also branded the 44-year-old Aussie presenter a "cheap reality TV star".

"His death is no shock at all. He made his career out of antagonising frightened wild animals. That's a very dangerous message to send to children," TMZ.com quoted Mathews as saying.

Irwin passed away recently in a tragic underwater accident while filming a TV documentary, and was buried in a private ceremony on Saturday at the Australia Zoo, the animal park where he and his family tended lovingly to hundreds of creatures.

But despite his reputation as a naturalist and conservationist, Irwin's on-screen antics reportedly irked the animal lovers at PETA.