Survivor's Colby a Reef Thief?

April 3, 2001 -- A new week brings a new controversy on Survivor: The Australian Outback.

The top-rated reality show, which has already sparked investigations into the on-camera killing of a pig and the use of the Australian Air Force's services, is now being taken to task for what looks like illegal coral-gathering.

In last week's episode, resident stud Colby and soon-to-be-ousted Jerri won a reward challenge to go snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef. Before returning to camp, Colby thoughtfully snagged pieces of coral from the reef for his fellow contestants to make up for the fact that they missed out on seeing one of the world's natural wonders.

The move helped to cement his status with the group (they chose to vote the unpopular Jerri off instead), but the Texas car detailer obviously didn't know that it is illegal to take coral from the ecologically protected reef without a permit. Penalties include fines of up to $52,800.

"We'll prosecute in the normal way if they've broken the law," Gregor Manson, director of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, told Reuters today.

"We've got an investigation under way to ascertain whether contestants on the show have done anything untoward," Manson said. He's also looking into reports that aircraft used by the CBS show flew too close to seabird rookeries on the reef.

Reuters contributed to this story.