Submitted by: kirkland on Tuesday September 05th, 2006 at 08:30 AM EST

Dramatic videotape of "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin's last moments shows him pulling from his chest the poisonous stingray barb that killed him, officials said Tuesday, as tributes poured in for the beloved naturalist famed for getting dangerously close to deadly beasts.

Thousands of people came to Irwin's Queensland zoo Tuesday and brought with them floral tributes, Phil Willmington of Nine News Australia said on CBS News' The Early Show. The Irwin family has been offered a state funeral, but has not announced a decision on whether to accept.

The tape of the death of the man known by TV audiences worldwide for his infectious enthusiasm in the series "The Crocodile Hunter" was secured by Queensland state police as evidence for a coroner's inquiry — a standard procedure in high-profile deaths or those caused by other than natural causes.

» Full story @ CBS News