Get Zoo Weekly in your Inbox!

By Leanne Edmistone

THE final tiles are being placed in a massive mosaic tribute to the late Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. More than 400 international artists and thousands of others have contributed to the mural, to be presented to the Irwin family and unveiled at Australia Zoo for Steve Irwin Day on November 15 – two years after his death in a diving accident.

The mural's co-ordinator, Brisbane artist Sandy Robertson, said the project had grown out of her desire to send a gift of condolence to Irwin's widow, Terri.

"I talked about it on the international (mosaic) forum I moderate and it just grew and grew and grew," Ms Robertson said.

Pieces are still arriving to add to hundreds of wildlife depictions received from across Australia, New Zealand, America, Europe and the United Kingdom. The project also was opened to schools, community events and charities.

The end result will be 10 panels, measuring 1.2m by 2.4m, depicting Steve Irwin with an orangutan and an array of wildlife including a cougar, polar bears, birds and, of course, crocodiles.