Stingrays becoming target of revenge killings by fans of “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin.

It has been just over a week since Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray’s barb and in that time at least ten stingrays have been found dead on Australia’s eastern coast. Believed to be retaliation for the death of Irwin, many of the dead stingrays have had their tails cut off.

The attacks on the normally docile sea creatures has triggered outrage from conservationist who point out the murders serve no purpose and are actually counter to what Steve Irwin believed.

Executive director of Wildlife Warriors, the conservation group started by Irwin, Michael Hornby stated, “We are disgusted and disappointed that people would take this sort of action to hurt wildlife. We just want to make it very clear that we will not accept and not stand for anyone who has taken a form of retribution. That’s the last thing Steve would want.”

Steve Irwin was killed when a stingray’s barb pierced his chest while he was filming footage for an upcoming television show about sea life. He was buried last week at Australia Zoo, the location made famous by many of Irwin’s television episodes. A public memorial has been scheduled for next week.