Stingray Kills TV's 'Crocodile Hunter'

Steve Irwin Dies From Stab To The Heart By Stingray's Barb

(CBS/AP) 
3Irwin, 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.

But behind the theatrics was a conservationist: Irwin's TV shows and his zoo in Australia may have been big money spinners but he also poured cash into animal welfare and environmental projects, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips.

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.

[lilsurf0]

I know we all are greatly hurt since the incedent. We will miss him dearly and always will.he brought joy to our hearts and just remember if you remember him his spirit will last forever, but if we were to forget he would become a ghost of the past.we all loved him.He was a brave and packed with courage.he has changed the way people see the animals he dealed with and i would have loved to thank him for every thing he did.Let his name sour threw our hearts.


sincerely,
makenzie love
age 11

[apdepetris]

I was reading comments out here and was very disturbed at the negative comments made. You people are rude and insensitive. A man with a wife and 2 small children dies and all you are concerned about is his education. Steve Irwin grew up around animals and they were his passion in life. Too bad there aren't more of us in this world lucky enough to go to work each day with his enthusiasm (because he was doing what he loved to do). And people blaiming him for his own death is absurd. Did he risk his life and take chances working with these animals - of course. But do you say the same thing about other people with dangerous jobs like policemen or firefighters? How about the 9/11 rescue workers. Are the ones that died that day responsible for their own deaths? There are people all over the world that go to work and risk their lives every day because they believe what they are doing is important. Steve you will be missed. Rest in peace.

[exoticona]

To know the animal world...is to know the other world. That world we are so alien to, and yet so akin to. Steve brought us close to the creatures of the world that we no longer are able to see. So many things we don't know about our planet, and the liaison he brought to the screen brought us closer to the creatures. He vitalized our spirits, brought energy to our feet, made our hair stand on end, and got our hearts to skip a beat. We grew entranced by the beasts we knew so little about. The message was loud and clear...this truly is the animal's planet. We are all part of the ecosystem. So much as changed, and will continue to change. His death comes as a shock, a surprise, and untimely. What a single action of one of the beasts of the world can cause an international stirring of deep remorse, and affection...to elicit a response...this surely has!

[kimbaba2]

BUNION BI T C H. who cares if he was "properly educated"? honestly, what the hell. HE WAS DOING WHAT HE LOVED and he went into the face of danger and entertained millions of people. Maybe you can have an opinion after you go and do HALF the things this guy did. and have some respect because he was DEFINITELY a respectable person who lost his life. if you don't have anything to say in regards to being sorry for his death then don't say anything at all.

[totallymmhmm]

So so so sad, it wasnt his time and it just made me sooo mad and sad when i heard it on the news, No one and I mean no one can take his place or be as caring and cool as him. When ever i see a crock. it makes me rember then i start tearing. I pray for his family and friends and all of thoes who care for him and may he sleep in peace. Steve ur in our hearts.

Crocks are cool and will always be cared for.

[rggou]

We really enjoyed watching Steve's program it always interesting.You will be grearly missed not only be your viewers,mostly by all your family members.Nobody will take your place in that part of investigating the different types of wildlife,& nature.
Posted by Rggou At 12:47 Sept.06,2006

[batfors]

My heart is heavy now that Steve is gone. He was a tireless conservationist who wanted everyone to be touch by animals like he was. He taught so many people that even though an animal was not furry, cute and cuddly it still had a right to be loved and have efforts made to save it. I pray that the whole Irwin family and staff at Australia Zoo be given the strength, love and courage that they need right now. Steve, say hello to Mary for me. I know you are sitting next to her. Crocs Rule!!!!

[twinella47]

Dear Steve you will be missed, but you will not be forgotten. There was NEVER a man like you and will NEVER be, that took so many risks to educate us, to entertain us, to put us so close with wild life, all animals and just to enjoy Mother Nature. You will be missed by me and the Whole World. Sorry you had to go so soon. The Good and the Great die young. You died doing what you love the most, but it is sad that you had to go doing what you loved. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. You will always be remembered as the Greatest Naturalist of our time.

[crocsrule-2009]

bunionbabe, you have to be one of the most heartless people I have ever known about in this world. I mean, What is it to you to go along spreading your hate and discontent about people? Has this man ever done anything to you personnally? Why the attacks? I don't know anything about Steve Irwin's education and frankly to me it doesn't matter. I have worked around alot of people in my life, both highly educated and non educated. And most of the time, the ones with less "college education"are the ones that seem to know more about what they are talking about, provided that they had worked and gotten the training,"on the job ". It has to do with something called common sense and job knowledge, which is as far as I'm concerned what Steve had. Believe me, I would trust someone with my life much more completely that has worked and gotten their training by working in the field for years rather than to trust my life to someone that can just say they have a degree in whatever...To me it sounds like you have more of a problem with jealosy about someone who has happened to in the right place and time and they are very successful. Are they getting more Airtime than you are?? Please do us all a favor and button your lip!! This man was more of a human being than you seem to be....

[crocsrule-2009]

First of all, anyone with negative comments should at least pick a better time to be expressing their opinions about this man. Regardless to how you view him, you should respect his family thru this time and not post any belittling and negative things. If it were you and your family member has been taken, regardless to how it happened, it's still a very painfull time to go thru. How would you like it if your family was going thru this and there were people out there saying things like this? It only further adds to the pain and grief they are going thru. Come on now, Please try to show a little compassion and respect for the family during this time of grief! You have plenty of time LATER to express your views and negatism...As for me and my house, all I can say about this right now is "We will miss you Steve" G-Day Mate!!

[starfelipa]

we are so sorry to here of steves death my sons never missed a show.we all loved steves shows.to steves wife our prayers are with you and your family.we are very sadned for your loss.God bless and take care.once again our prayers are with you.

[twinlakespd1]

What happened was very unfortunate. Although I was not a huge fan of Steve, he was entertaining and taught us much. I respect the man for what he did. He died doing what he loved.

[pogino]

This is in response to all the negative comments made about Steve Irwin. I feel that whether or not you agree with Steve Irwin's life style and belief's, this is definitely not the time or place to make your personal judgments or do your hateful bashing on someone you disagree with. Is this really something you want his family and relatives to read during their time of grief and feeling of loss? It saddens me to know, some of you actually seem happy Steve is gone and that he actually deserved his death. Are you really that uncaring and uncompassionate when someone makes different life choices then your own ,that the death of that person means nothing other then good rid dens? How very very sad!!! I do hope life gets better for all of you soon because what ever is going on in your life right now must be pretty miserable when you feel the need to attack a dead person who can not even defend them self to make yourself feel better%u2026.. As to Steve Irwin, thank you for all that you have given us Steve and I along with many will miss enjoying the happy energy you shared with us. Farewell and have a good journey. Patricia Aiko Ogino, North Pole, Alaska

[melkaycee]

I can't believe some of the comments that have been left! FIRST OF ALL A MAN HAS DIED. (That alone should be the reason to be respectful). Second if you don't like the man then why would you waste your time commenting? (again and again).
Third, If you don't have nothing nice to say then don't say it all.
Melissa
Nebraska

[zratace]

This is directed at bunionbabe! Why are you even posting on this site? It is clear that you have a problem with Steve so why are you here? Please go away and let all of us who have some human dignity and express our feelings in peace. It's people like you who don't deserve to live a joyful long life. Steve Irwin has done a great thing with his life and why don't you bunionbabe do your research before running your BIG FREAKIN MOUTH about things that you don't know about. Steve did not do what he did for money he lived very frugle and honestly put most of his money into the conservation of wildlife. For you to sit on this site and slag a dead honest and great person like Steve you are a terrible human. It's people like you who have not done a honest great thing with your life so it's easy for you to TRY to bring Steve down to your level of a person. It's not working so do us all a favor and vanish PLEASE? I ask you what have you done? What will you be remembered for? Or will you just die off AND be another lost soul in life. The truth is BUNIONBABE who cares about you because we don't so take a hike!!!! I can back up what I speak and YES I have done a great deal in my life.

Steve will be missed by alot of people throughout the world unlike BIG MOUTH BUNIONBABE.
ZRATFACE has spoken!!!!

[raybet43]

When I heard of Steves death it made me sad.
He was such a wonderful man. He was always so loving to animals whether he was in danger or not. His gentle nature made him who he was. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers. When Steve and his wife was together in a show the world could see the love he had for her. This showed no matter who was looking.
You will be missed. There will never be anyone as great as STEVE.

[frank-hunter]

bunionbabe, you are one of the most dispicable arrogrant rude animal rights terrortis ever. You have no sympathy, you condemn, belittle, place judgement of a man who was a true conservationists. One who spoke for the animals right to survive in this world. He did not learn thru books, or go to school to get a degree, he learned thru hands-on education. That is something that can never be taught in a class room. Who would you listen to, a professor who taught in a class room that had no experience what so ever about wildlife, or an conservation who lived it, who experienced it, who was actually out there, doing something about it - educating the public with hands-on experience. Experience is a great key in promoting wildlife, teaching the young to respect not only nature but human kind. You have no respect what so ever for the passing, You are nothing more than a child.

[gizmo1975-2009]

Our prayers are with Steve's family. I"m so sorry that the family couldn't say goodbye to him and say they loved him very much. I know that got to be really hard. Steve was a very brave young man. He had more gust than I do or anybody else. Once again ours love's gone out to Steve's family.

[turn621]

The world will miss the croc hunter.Will pray for his family. Turn621

[tomflint69]

Dear CHRIS AND TARA,
Many thanks for posting such lovely comments here :o)
Are you both also in heaven? lol.... dont mind.

have a nice time.