Irwin's widow to launch whale research

'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin's widow Terri is to launch research into Japan's killing of whales in Antarctic waters.

Scientists in Tokyo have defended the annual killing of more than 1,000 whales, claiming that it helps them to learn how the mammals eat, breed and migrate.

The Japanese are granted permission to kill whales for scientific research but the cull has been slammed as environmentalists believe most of the meat is sold commercially.

Now Terri Irwin wants to further a whale watching programme that she set up in honour of her late husband by researching the killings next year.

Irwin said: "We are working with Oregon State University to do formalised research in the southern hemisphere,” Mrs Irwin said. "We can actually learn everything the Japanese are learning with lethal research by using non-lethal research."

She added: "We are determined to show the Japanese they can stop all whaling, not just humpbacks."

Australian TV star Steve Irwin died in 2006 from a stingray off the Great Barrier Reef.