OT: CRIKEY!!! Steve Irwin's DEAD!

[Nanci]

Wow, I can't believe it- he was my hero!!

[arnaew]

It's a shame when someone who champions the environment is lost, by whatever means. However, it must be said that Steve Irwin was a bit of a tosser. He thought (in contradistinction to great nature documentary makers like Richard Attenborough) that he had to perform like an idiot to get people to watch. He has been reported numerous times for poor practices around animals (his son around a crocodile, himself around whales, seals et al) which, unfortunately, often diffused the message. To be stabbed by a stingray in the torso you would have to be doing someting quite unusual in terms of the stingray's orbit. When fishermen sustain bites (the most common victims) it is usually in the limbs, most often when the rays are accidentally hauled in the nets. These bites (stabbings) are rarely fatal. There have been around 17 known deaths in Australia from stingrays, all of them pierced in the torso (which has the same effect as being stabbed by a harpoon with the added bonus of a toxic poison). For this to occur, you basically have to be swimming directly above them or trying to ride them, either of which will p*ss the ray off. Irwin's history and the stingray's habits would indicate that he perhaps wasn't being as responsible or respectful as he should have been. Considering that the doco he was shooting was called 'The Ocean's Deadliest', you'd think that he would have been a tad more cautious... I am so sorry for his wife and children (backpacking in the Tasmanian mountains at the time) - Bindi (daughter, around 8) is apparently a wild life fanatic.

[caligurl]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! his poor wife and those GORGEOUS kids of his..... this breaks my heart...........

thanx for posting it....

[massbikebabe]

I was sad when I read the news...

When my kids were little and I was working nights and staying up ALL day with them the Croky Guy used to buy me a half hour of sleep on the couch while they watched his show. I did think he was a little nutters though.



karen

[DDH]

I used to watch his show all the time. I thought he was a nut case at times, but obviously those of us that don't work with animals would think some of his actions as being nuts.
He knew what he was doing even if he did showcase about it. I'm just suprised that it was a stingray, from what I have learned about them, it takes quite a bit to upset them to the point they would spear you.
I guess only those that were with him will ever know the whole truth about how or what caused it to happen. Because if he was doing something crazy, then I don't think anyone will tell. Sometimes, it's just your time, no matter how careful you are trying to be.
I feel for his family, and my thoughts will be with them.

[Lise]

I was so sorry to hear of his death. I always enjoyed his extraordinary enthusiasm. I think of his kids and his wife, first of all. I hope others will pick up his banner of conservation and carry his mission forward.

[ladyfish]

It's a sad thing. Obviously quite an unusual happening. I read one article that stated they were filming when it happened, so I think they know exactly what he was doing. It's sad that we've lost a great supporter of conservation and that he leaves behind his wife and two kids.

I'm going to miss him, and I have to figure out how to break it to my younger son, who LOVES animal planet.

I am upclose and personal with stingrays every other week, and although they are used to people, they are still wild animals and unpredicitble. I'm always cautious about where they are in relation to myself. I never set down a knee or foot without looking before I do so. (I work at an aquarium).

We'll miss you Steve!