OT: RIP "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin

[Blueskies]

Loved to watch Steve.........my heart goe's out to his family as they deal with their loss.........journey home, Steve....we will miss you...........

[Blueskies]

Dedicating...Bridge Over Troubled Water...to the Irwin family......till you meet again.........

[Angiekay]

Just watched Today Show interviews about Irwin. If that stingray's barb had not hit his heart, he probably would have lived. An unbelievable stroke of bad luck.

Not to mention, he wasn't even supposed to be filming where he was. He was set to film at another location and the weather was bad, so they moved to film for a children's show that his daughter was to be part of as well(Although she wasn't there). It's all about being in the wrong place or the wrong time, or....it just being your time to go.

Sad stuff.

[Shadowsong]

I feel his death was in part of a greater plan
I can't help thinking his daughter was in danger in this show or in the future
and his death was a way of saving her from some event

Well, that's what I feel anyway
He loved the animals
but he was a loving family man
who in some way has tried to change destiny
Let's hope this was somehow in God's script
He was given the choice of his life or hers

[larryfromnextdoor]

this seemed to be all over the news in the states today,, his little girl comes through with an amazing eulogy,,


http://www.guardian.co.uk/australia/sto ... 87,00.html

*edit- cant get the eulogy to come through???????

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/09/ ... 42766.html

http://media.smh.com.au/?rid=22027&sy=s ... 88&flash=1

[Moon Beam]

Just one of the many hazards of the Australian wildlife.... Crocs, deadly snakes, deadly spiders, poisonous jellyfish, great white sharks...very sad.

I bet Australian Pelicans wouldn't hurt ya like that.
I'm just saying............

Aussie Bossy if you see one think of me and smile!
I do love Pelicans.

May God take Steve Irwin's hopes and dreams for the
ones he loved and make em a reality!

[conversationpc]

Just watched Today Show interviews about Irwin. If that stingray's barb had not hit his heart, he probably would have lived. An unbelievable stroke of bad luck.

You're right. And it's incredible that a man who has laughed obvious danger in the face so many times should die in such a freak accident.

I have seen countless of his shows on Animal Planet, and he really broadened my knowledge of nature and removed a lot of my prejudices surrounding dangerous animals.

I don't get the whole shock over his death. Sure, it is tragic, but unexpected? Hardly.

[Liam]

Just watched Today Show interviews about Irwin. If that stingray's barb had not hit his heart, he probably would have lived. An unbelievable stroke of bad luck.

You're right. And it's incredible that a man who has laughed obvious danger in the face so many times should die in such a freak accident.

I have seen countless of his shows on Animal Planet, and he really broadened my knowledge of nature and removed a lot of my prejudices surrounding dangerous animals.

I don't get the whole shock over his death. Sure, it is tragic, but unexpected? Hardly.

From a STINGWRAY?? Yea...THAT was shocking. Still sad.

[itsjustme]

his little girl comes through with an amazing eulogy,,

She really did. Such amazing poise and charisma already. Her daddy's little girl, that's for sure. I won't be surprised when she gets her own show on Animal Planet.

"Danga, danga, danga" lol. he was something else. rest in peace. world's a much duller place without ya...

[frostbite]

It's sad that he's dead but am I the only human being on the planet that thought he irritated the hell out of animals. I saw one episode where he swung a venomous snake around in the air! Hardly David Attenborough. I'll wager he was on top of that Stingray grabbing its wings and freaking the poor thing out.

His daughter did an amazing job with the reading. Whoever explained her Dad's death to her should write a book. They have something special there.

[Blueskies]

Thank's for posting that, Larry. I saw it too yesterday. Amazing little girl. She is a testiment to her father.

[itsjustme]

It's sad that he's dead but am I the only human being on the planet that thought he irritated the hell out of animals. I saw one episode where he swung a venomous snake around in the air! Hardly David Attenborough. I'll wager he was on top of that Stingray grabbing its wings and freaking the poor thing out.

His daughter did an amazing job with the reading. Whoever explained her Dad's death to her should write a book. They have something special there.

I actually had a problem with his style of interacting with animals, too. He harassed his own crocks to no end for great shots. I hope they at least were use to it, and that it was a catch that crazy bastard game to them.
But even so, no one was a greater champion for animals than Steve Irwin. Especially animals that people used to shoot on sight due to ignorance. I work to help animals, but he saved more animals through his teaching and buying of 1000s of acres of land, etc. than all the animal welfare workers I know put together. If the price was to be a little aggravated in order to get the attention of our attention deficit culture, then I think they’d say it was a small if stressful price. The animals have lost one of their greatest advocates.

ps Though I may have just missed that episode, I'm sure he wasn't "swinging" the snake, but trying to keep it from striking him. He provoked snakes merely by handling them, but I never saw him actually hurt them intentionally.

[Matthew]

It's sad that he's dead but am I the only human being on the planet that thought he irritated the hell out of animals.

No, you're not. The Australian writer Germaine Greer wrote this controversial article in the UK recently:


http://www.guardian.co.uk/australia/sto ... 24,00.html


"What Irwin never seemed to understand was that animals need space. The one lesson any conservationist must labour to drive home is that habitat loss is the principal cause of species loss. There was no habitat, no matter how fragile or finely balanced, that Irwin hesitated to barge into, trumpeting his wonder and amazement to the skies. There was not an animal he was not prepared to manhandle. Every creature he brandished at the camera was in distress. Every snake badgered by Irwin was at a huge disadvantage, with only a single possible reaction to its terrifying situation, which was to strike. Easy enough to avoid, if you know what's coming. Even my cat knew that much.

The animal world has finally taken its revenge on Irwin..."


The Australian press responded with:


"THIS is the muzzle The Daily Telegraph has sent to batty loudmouth Germaine Greer on behalf of all Australians furious over her comments about Steve Irwin...."


http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 32,00.html

[Lilla_Forever]

I actually had a problem with his style of interacting with animals, too. He harassed his own crocks to no end for great shots. I hope they at least were use to it, and that it was a catch that crazy bastard game to them.
But even so, no one was a greater champion for animals than Steve Irwin. Especially animals that people used to shoot on sight due to ignorance. I work to help animals, but he saved more animals through his teaching and buying of 1000s of acres of land, etc. than all the animal welfare workers I know put together. If the price was to be a little aggravated in order to get the attention of our attention deficit culture, then I think they’d say it was a small if stressful price. The animals have lost one of their greatest advocates.

Great post! I agree with it 100%.

[itsjustme]

It's sad that he's dead but am I the only human being on the planet that thought he irritated the hell out of animals.

No, you're not. The Australian writer Germaine Greer wrote this controversial article in the UK recently:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/australia/sto ... 24,00.html

This was the response in the Australian press:

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 32,00.html

Greer's article was great, though a bit harsh considering the timing. I actually agree with much of what she said. Boy did she get slammed, lol. But instead of answering her issues about the animals, they just made personal attacks. Typical.

I still think he did a lot for animals.

I find it heartening, though, that so many people these days DO question the way he handled animals (including his contemporaries like Jeff Corwin and Jack Hanna).
Because of his intrusive style, I don’t think many people were surprised by his death, just shocked it was by a stingray. And many of the reports that I saw following his death questioned whether he provoked the stingray - because it was his MO. If nothing else, his death has provoked a lot of debate about that. His final gift to the animals, lol. Still very sad.

thanks for sharing the articles.

[frostbite]

It's sad that he's dead but am I the only human being on the planet that thought he irritated the hell out of animals.

No, you're not. The Australian writer Germaine Greer wrote this controversial article in the UK recently:


http://www.guardian.co.uk/australia/sto ... 24,00.html


"What Irwin never seemed to understand was that animals need space. The one lesson any conservationist must labour to drive home is that habitat loss is the principal cause of species loss. There was no habitat, no matter how fragile or finely balanced, that Irwin hesitated to barge into, trumpeting his wonder and amazement to the skies. There was not an animal he was not prepared to manhandle. Every creature he brandished at the camera was in distress. Every snake badgered by Irwin was at a huge disadvantage, with only a single possible reaction to its terrifying situation, which was to strike. Easy enough to avoid, if you know what's coming. Even my cat knew that much.

The animal world has finally taken its revenge on Irwin..."


The Australian press resonded with:


"THIS is the muzzle The Daily Telegraph has sent to batty loudmouth Germaine Greer on behalf of all Australians furious over her comments about Steve Irwin...."


http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 32,00.html

Thanks for that. Very interesting.