OT: RIP Crocodile Hunter

Steve Irwin, AKA the Crocodile Hunter, has died after a stingray attack. Irwin was 44.

He deserved it.

He made a career out of teasing animals.

Serves him right.

he was a great educator.

a hero has fallen.

This is very sad. He did some stupid crap, but he did not deserve this. The only news story I've been able to find with any details (so far - there'll definitely be more): http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003242570_webirwin03.html

From what I have read, being killed by a Stingray barb is very rare. I feel sorry for his wife and two kids (ages 8 and 3).

Sydney Morning Herald (Australia):

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/2006/09/04/1157222051512.html

Have to agree with M.H.

I feel for the family. Nobody deserves to die, though tomorrow is promised to no one, either.

Personally, I think he was a bit of whack job ... but that isn't going to make a whit of difference to the son he dangled in front a croc that's now going to grow up fatherless.

The son, not the croc.

Can you say? ... "Crocodile Hunter II: The Next Generation."

As opposed to slaughtering every animal that is considered a man killer?

His role as an educator in teaching people that these animals need to be respected, not destroyed far outweighted any teasing he did. Add that to the endangered species unit and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation programs that he introduced at his zoo, the last thing I'd say would be "Serves him right".

I dunno, I wonder if he was much respected by other conservationalists?

Speaking as an Australian who while working in the US was eventually driven to buy a 3-foot rubber crocodile to batter people who compared everyone in my country to Steve Irwin[1], I cannot bring myself to be entirely unhappy about this.

An educator? He leapt around taunting animals and making loud noises. As for conservation, remember the whale affair? "I'm Steve Irwin, so I can do anything I want to vulnerable animals"

[1] Naturally, all americans are like Roseanne.

B>

Agreed Packrat.

I don't buy the whole "educator" tag. There are tens of thousands of animal conservationists and experts out there who don't even get the time of the day by the mainstream media. The one guy who got any attention placated to the clowns who enjoy watching animals being teased.

Besides, any one with a brain could have easily guessed that this was bound to happen. Just like those punks in the Jackass movies. Death wishes should be granted to these social parasites.

Oh please, you are trying so hard to escape the stereotype that you are bashing that you fall right into it. You seem like the type of guy that believes everything they hear on the news... Things happen outside TV ya know.

"Anyone with a brain" would realise that the reason why he gets the time of day and is considered one of the worlds most successful conservationists, even by other highly regarded conservationists is because he isn't writing articles for environmental mazagines, or science journals but because he is putting it out there to the average person. He knew his stuff, but instead of writing or publishing it in demographically specific media he just got on with the job.

The question remains, have you actually seen the Australia Zoo and the commitment they have made to conservation? What about sat in on one of this guest lectures at a University to actually hear him talk? I was lucky enough to hear a lecture at the University of Queensland. If he isn't an educator, I don't know what is.

Escape the stereotype? I don't recall trying to run away from anything. As I have stated in other threads on other topics, I go by what I see. Here is a guy who was addicted to the thrill of risking his life by agitating and teasing animals. How could anyone not see that?

The job of what? Playing with fire until he got burned? And you want me to applaud that? Umm..ok.

Applaud dying doing what you love? Sure, why not? Who am I, or who are you to judge anyone?

You must be nescient of the things he has done, particularly here within Australia to spread the word on Conservation, particularly marine conservation. Like you've already said, you go by what you see...

You can mourn someone's passing without agreeing with his or her profession or lifestyle. Steve died doing what he loved. How many of us will be able to say that when we draw our last breath? (Recall Elvis' last stand...or seat, as the case may be....)

As an educator myself, I am comfortable with calling him a colleague. I don't jump around my classroom like one with ADHD/OCD, but Steve did, and he had a successful gig. Kept my wife and kids entertained. (Hm...perhaps I should jump around my classroom...)

As a husband and father, I feel sorry for his wife and children. God knows the anger and grief they must be awash in now.

I'll hoist a pint in his memory, though I've learned on the KSS forum that Foster's isn't real Australian beer. So I'll make do.

Crikey!

rwo

What happened to the stingray?

story here:

http://au.news.yahoo.com/060904/23/10eeq.html

I did think Southpark's take with Cartman jamming his thumb up the ass of various animals and saying "crikey" was hilarious and not entirely off the mark. However. Sure he was always so fired up he often came across as a complete nutjob, but unless you've founded your own wildlife sanctuary or created your own wildlife fund or the like, probably better you just say nothing except consolation to his wife and kids.

Just been watching an interview where he joked about how proud he was the first time his daughter was bitten repeatedly on the face by a snake she was playing with.

I suppose that's education of a kind.

B>

that's true. Take the 'whales are delicate, don't screw with them, unless you're Steve Irwin, in which case, motor up to them in a boat and jump around all over them. Crikey!'

Great.

B>

He was successful in raising the awareness of animal behavior to those people who may not otherwise give a sh*t. The conservationists of the world should be grateful for this.

My kids and I found him very entertaining - and I'll even admit to taking the family to see his movie (and later buy the DVD). In a way, I feel like I've lost a friend.

But FWIW, I already loved alligators before I had ever heard of him - especially when fried with a light batter.

I didnt have any problem with him...sure he ran around grabbing animals and such....as does every animal educator on TV....but I never really saw him tease the animals so much and he never hurt them and seemed respectful to thier environment.

I feel for his wife and kids.

Steve was a legend - I was just surprised it wasn't an alligator that got him in the end though!

On a slightly different note regarding conservationists, a friend of mine went on a nature walk, and the guy doing the walk said not to pick up any insects as this may kill them. At which point my friend asked him to take a look at the front of his car!

Yeah that is a good think to say, the guy just {censored}in died.

You know, if the best I could come up with in an obit thread was "Serves him right", I don't think I'd bother with the post.