Stingray Kills 'Crocodile Hunter' Irwin

[warpedskydiver 0]

Stingray Kills 'Crocodile Hunter' Irwin
Monday, September 4, 2006 9:34 AM EDT
The Associated Press
By BRIAN CASSEY

CAIRNS, Australia (AP) — Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality and conservationist known as the "Crocodile Hunter," was killed Monday by a stingray while filming off the Great Barrier Reef. He was 44.

Irwin was at Batt Reef, off the remote coast of northeastern Queensland state, shooting a segment for a series called "Ocean's Deadliest" when he swam too close to one of the animals, which have a poisonous barb on their tails, his friend and colleague John Stainton said.

"He came on top of the stingray and the stingray's barb went up and into his chest and put a hole into his heart," said Stainton, who was on board Irwin's boat at the time.

Crew members aboard the boat, Croc One, called emergency services in the nearest city, Cairns, and administered CPR as they rushed the boat to nearby Low Isle to meet a rescue helicopter. Medical staff pronounced Irwin dead when they arrived a short time later, Stainton said.

Irwin was famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchword "Crikey!" in his television program "Crocodile Hunter." First broadcast in Australia in 1992, the program was picked up by the Discovery network, catapulting Irwin to international celebrity.

He rode his image into a feature film, 2002's "The Crocodile Hunters: Collision Course" and developed the wildlife park that his parents opened, Australia Zoo, into a major tourist attraction.

"The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet," Stainton told reporters in Cairns. "He died doing what he loved best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. He would have said, 'Crocs Rule!'"

Prime Minister John Howard, who hand-picked Irwin to attend a gala barbecue to honor President Bush when he visited in 2003, said he was "shocked and distressed at Steve Irwin's sudden, untimely and freakish death."

"It's a huge loss to Australia," Howard told reporters. "He was a wonderful character. He was a passionate environmentalist. He brought joy and entertainment and excitement to millions of people."

Irwin, who made a trademark of hovering dangerously close to untethered crocodiles and leaping on their backs, spoke in rapid-fire bursts with a thick Australian accent and was almost never seen without his uniform of khaki shorts and shirt and heavy boots.

Wild animal expert Jack Hanna, who frequently appears on TV with his subjects, offered praise for Irwin.

"Steve was one of these guys, we thought of him as invincible," Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo and Aquarium, told ABC's "Good Morning America" Monday.

"The guy was incredible. His knowledge was incredible," Hanna said. "Some people that are doing this stuff are actors and that type of thing, but Steve was truly a zoologist, so to speak, a person who knew what he was doing. Yes, he did things a lot of people wouldn't do. I think he knew what he was doing."

Irwin's ebullience was infectious and Australian officials sought him out for photo opportunities and to promote Australia internationally.

His public image was dented, however, in 2004 when he caused an uproar by holding his infant son in one arm while feeding large crocodiles inside a zoo pen. Irwin claimed at the time there was no danger to the child, and authorities declined to charge Irwin with violating safety regulations.

Later that year, he was accused of getting too close to penguins, a seal and humpback whales in Antarctica while making a documentary. Irwin denied any wrongdoing, and an Australian Environment Department investigation recommended no action be taken against him.

Stingrays have a serrated, toxin-loaded barb, or spine, on the top of their tail. The barb, which can be up to 10 inches long, flexes if a ray is frightened. Stings usually occur to people when they step on or swim too close to a ray and can be excruciatingly painful but are rarely fatal, said University of Queensland marine neuroscientist Shaun Collin.

Collin said he suspected Irwin died because the barb pierced under his ribcage and directly into his heart.

"It was extraordinarily bad luck. It's not easy to get spined by a stingray and to be killed by one is very rare," Collin said.

News of Irwin's death spread quickly, and tributes flowed from all quarters of society.

At Australia Zoo at Beerwah, south Queensland, floral tributes were dropped at the entrance, where a huge fake crocodile gapes. Drivers honked their horns as they passed.

"Steve, from all God's creatures, thank you. Rest in peace," was written on a card with a bouquet of native flowers.

"We're all very shocked. I don't know what the zoo will do without him. He's done so much for us, the environment and it's a big loss," said Paula Kelly, a local resident and volunteer at the zoo, after dropping off a wreath at the gate.

Stainton said Irwin's American-born wife Terri, from Eugene, Ore., had been informed of his death, and had told their daughter Bindi Sue, 8, and son Bob, who will turn 3 in December.

The couple met when she went on vacation in Australia in 1991 and visited Irwin's Australia Zoo; they were married six months later. Sometimes referred to as the "Crocodile Huntress," she costarred on her husband's television show and in his 2002 movie.

[warpedskydiver 0]

Damn, my Daughter is going to be very sad

[Gawain 0]

It sucks to see someone who clearly loved their job/life/world leave it so quickly.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[lisamariewillbe 1]

Quote

It sucks to see someone who clearly loved their job/life/world leave it so quickly

Yes but he left a legacy, and left alot of animals with homes and with hope to remain. His children will carry on his job, just as he did for his father. Bindi has been his shadow for some time now. It is very sad that he has left the world and many people did not like his methods (at least in the science world) however he brought the world a more understanding of many animals, spent millons on conservation, and spent his life hoping to save as many species as possible.

Regardless on how people felt about him and his methods he and his zoo have been a huge positive in the world of animal education and conservation.

Im sad about this, I have about 40 hours of him on my DVR and I had been looking forward to his new show. Sad day for many.

Sudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this
Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this

[Scoop 0]

Sad end to a full life

[Skyrad 0]

I thought the guy was great. I liked that he was passionate about animals, the environment and his wife and family. Steve Irwin died living the dream, how many people give up on theirs. Good on him! Top man.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[shropshire 0]

Spot on.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[lisamariewillbe 1]

Quote

how many people give up on theirs. Good on him! Top man.

Yes he was. This truely makes me sad. My favorite thing he has done is in breeding. His wombat breeding program has been such a success, as well as his breeding of komono dragon, such a hard thing to achieve.

One thing many didnt realize is the rescue they did locally that saved many snakes, roos and other animals in the area. It was the zoos top concern besides their own animals.

There was a snake and lizard research facility that caught fire that lost alot (read most ) of their animals, Steve donated many animals to them as well as ALOT of money to re-build the facility.

Sudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this
Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this

[kallend 2,150]

Crikey!

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[mr2mk1g 10]

A real pity.

And before anyone complains - I'm sure he would have laughed at the pic...

[Skyrad 0]

I agree, and that is pretty damn funny.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[Gravitymaster 0]

Quote

A real pity.

And before anyone complains - I'm sure he would have laughed at the pic...

I heard on the news that he told his camera man that if he should ever be attacked by an animal, that the camera man should keep on filming. What a great attitude and dedication to his work. Respect!!!

[masterrig 1]

Quote

Quote

A real pity.

And before anyone complains - I'm sure he would have laughed at the pic...

I heard on the news that he told his camera man that if he should ever be attacked by an animal, that the camera man should keep on filming. What a great attitude and dedication to his work. Respect!!!

__________________________________

...and we learned from him. A fascinating man. We're going to miss him and his good work.


Chuck

[Jasmin 0]

One of our more memorable drinking 'games' was everytime he said a person's nominated word/phrase (eg "little ripper", "strewth", "crikey", "beauty") you had to scull.

I swear we were all legless in about five minutes

xj

"I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with the earth...but then I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with a car either, and that's having tried both."