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Sir Michael Parkinson has been hailed as a "broadcasting giant" who was the "king of the intelligent interview" following his death at the age of 88.

Sir Michael became a familiar face on both the BBC and ITV with his intimate celebrity interviews, most notably on the BBC show Parkinson.

Some of the celebrities he interviewed have paid tribute after his family announced he died "peacefully at home" on Wednesday.

"The genius of Parky was that unlike most people (and most of his guests, me included) he was always 100 per cent himself. On camera and off. 'Authentic' is the word I suppose. For one of the shows I was on with Robin Williams, a genius of unimaginable comic speed and brilliance. Now they're both gone. One should get used to the parade of people constantly falling off the edge, but frankly one doesn't. So long #parky." - comedian Stephen Fry via Instagram.

"He was so close to me. We were friends since we were youngsters, his father and my father worked down the mines together in Barnsley and we have been friends all of our lives. His friendship meant more to me than anything else. It meant so much to me. Our friendship, if I wanted any advice I would ring Parky up. He helped me in so many, many ways. There will never be a chat show host like Michael Parkinson. He was the best. There will never be anyone better than him in your lifetime, my lifetime or anyone else's lifetime." - former cricket umpire Dickie Bird in a statement.

"He was a Barnsley boy, like myself, and it was an absolute pleasure to know him and his family. We are all devastated here at Yorkshire and thoughts of everyone at the Club are with Sir Michael's family and friends at this sad time." - Yorkshire Cricket Club managing director of cricket Darren Gough in a statement.

"We'll never forget his brilliant interviews with Muhammad Ali, Dame Edna, Billy Connolly and, of course, 'that bloody emu'." - comedian and actor Matt Lucas.

"Michael arrived, chatted away to us, not a nerve in sight, when the band starting playing the theme tune. Michael paused, smiled and said 'They're playing my tune' and walked straight out and started the show. Lovely." - comedian Dara O Briain via Twitter.

"They don't make them like that anymore. Rip Sir Michael Parkinson." - Irish broadcaster and journalist Eamonn Holmes via Twitter.

"Very sad to hear that Michael Parkinson has left us. He was the king of the intelligent interview." - comedian Eddie Izzard via Twitter.

"Such very sad breaking news that Sir Michael Parkinson has died. Have known him for many years, sang on his TV chat show & attended many events with him. A legendary interviewer that will be remembered as the best of his profession. We will never see his like again." - British singer and actress Elaine Paige via Twitter.

"A broadcasting giant who set a gold standard for the television interview. He spent his life entertaining millions of us with his Saturday night talk show & was one of our most treasured TV personalities. My thoughts are with Michael's family & friends." - UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer.

"Michael was the king of the chat show and he defined the format for all the presenters and shows that followed. He interviewed the biggest stars of the 20th century and did so in a way that enthralled the public. Michael was not only brilliant at asking questions, he was also a wonderful listener. Michael was truly one of a kind, an incredible broadcaster and journalist who will be hugely missed." - BBC director-general Tim Davie in a statement.

© PAA 2023

Australian researchers have been given $750,000 to find new ways to vaccinate koalas against chlamydia.

The federal government funding will allow the Queensland University of Technology to trial a new vaccine implant.

If successful, koalas would no longer need to be held for long periods or recaptured to receive their second dose of the chlamydia vaccine.

The sexually transmitted infection is a significant and widespread threat to koalas, affecting their reproductive health and causing infertility.

Koalas are listed as endangered in Queensland, NSW and the ACT.

"No-one wants to imagine an Australia without the koalas," Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said in a statement.

"The Australian government is making sure our kids and grandkids will still be able to see koalas in the wild."

The latest investment is part of the government's more than $76 million Saving Koalas Fund to support the recovery and long-term conservation of the koala and its habitats.

© AAP 2023

Authorities are investigating whether poachers are hunting crocodiles in north Queensland after a carcass was found with a bait hook and rope in its gut.

Wildlife officers believe the animal, which was discovered on Tuesday in the Ross River in Townsville, was deliberately targeted and killed.

"When wildlife officers attended the scene, they discovered the 2.6m crocodile entangled in the mangroves," Tony Frisby, a senior wildlife officer with the Department of Environment and Science, said on Thursday.

"When retrieving the animal, the wildlife officers noted a wired rope around four metres long was hanging out of the crocodile's jaws, and it had been weighted down with a small rock."

A wired rope was later removed from the animal's digestive tract.

"Disturbingly, wildlife officers found a large hook attached to the wired rope, and they believe the hook was baited in a deliberate attempt to target and kill the crocodile," Mr Frisby said.

The rope was set up in a similar way to devices used by poachers.

Wildlife officers are searching the area for other hook devices.

"This is a disgraceful act, and the crocodile would have died a slow, agonising death," Mr Frisby said.

Crocodiles are considered a vulnerable species and are protected under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992.

It is unlawful to deliberately harm or kill crocodiles or be in possession of a deceased crocodile or parts of a deceased crocodile.

The maximum penalty for the deliberate harm or killing of crocodiles in Queensland is $32,243.

© AAP 2023