Naturalist Steve Irwin killed by Stingray

Apparently they can pierce up to 20cm with their deadly barb - BBC have an article as well. He essentially got stabbed in the heart. And yes, a fitting way to end his days.

He was more of an entertainer who also did conservation than the other way around. Divers often swim with sting rays, most people stung are stung in the foot by accidentally treading on one. No doubt he was winding one up.

He should have stuck to the battery- powered variety and left the clock-work ones alone, then!

Apparently only one other person has been recorded dying in this way in Australia and that was in 1945.

I must admit that I never saw him as a Naturalist. I was not a fan of his work, and found is teasing of animals quite unseemly. However, it is never nice when someone dies young, with small children. But it was the life he chose to live, and for him, I presume, dying this way would have been better than getting old and increpid.

"Seems quite an appropriate end." I disagree. After all the dangerous things he's done, it sucks that he got killed doing something relatively safe. It's only about the third recorded stingray-related death ever, isn't it? It wouldn't have been fatal if it hadn't hit his heart. I haven't got that much of a problem with his antics, and I didn't find him annoying. Most wildlife documentary makers do exactly the same thing, but imply through their choice of shots (and the editing process) that they're not even there. I can't think of any other wildlife documentary presenter other than David Attenborough who is anything more than extremely dull (Bill Oddie's bearable, I guess) so I think it's a great loss. ~ I'll Show You Tyrants * Fuselit * The Prowl Log * Woe's Woe

I liked the guy, he may have irritated the animals he handled but he did genuinely love them. For instance, his habit of holding a snake so it could reach back and snap at him was because the alternative (pinching it just behind the head) could damage it. I don't think he ever pretended to be a naturalist. He did a lot, I think, to persuade people that even dangerous animals merit protection.

I thought his exploits with animals showed they were more scared of us than we of them. In reality and ultimately it also showed they are just as dangerous (perhaps more so). The moral of the tale is: don't trouble trouble, til trouble troubles you. A personal tragedy indeed (don't know why I feel shocked because it was a case of, not 'if' but 'when' he was killed). I agree with Jack Cade, what a way to go for Steve Erwin, not how you might expect while resting a Croc or teasing a Rattler - either way not enough respect was given. Were the viewing figures worth it? Proof that one disgruntled critic can end it all for you. Commiserations to his family; thanks for your efforts Mr Erwin. Rest in peace skinsen

How do you rest a croc? Tuck it up in bed with a good book I shouldn't wonder. Yes he annoyed me too. How would you feel if someone picked you up and tried to get you to spit venom at them. Hang on - that happened to me last night. I've been very anti-zoo for many years now, having watched the wolves in Regents Park display signs of psychosis. I think the barely acceptable alternative are places like Longleat where the animals can at least roam. Idealy, let the poor buggers roam in their own habitat and we can go to see them there; if we so wish. God with cheap flights you can get to Africa and back for about £2.50p or summat. My ex's daughter went to Africa recently and road on the back of a heffalump in the water, and stroked lions. Not sure about that one. I like my lions at the end of a TV screen thankinyewverymuch.

wtf?!? It cost me about £800 for flights to Africa! And only dodgy safari firms will let you muck about with the animals. You should be in a vehicle at all times! ~ I'll Show You Tyrants * Fuselit * The Prowl Log * Woe's Woe

I've been anti-zoo most of my life, ever since I saw a tiger in a cage not much bigger than itself, at London zoo many years ago. The poor thing couldn't even turn around. What was even worse was an artificial iceberg with 3 or 4 polar bears attached, going literally mad for want of their natural habitat. One was waving it's head back and forth, crazed by it's predicament, all of them being gawped at by dozens of screaming kids, in the heat of the sun. I was almost in tears at the way the poor animals were being 'displayed' for the education of visitors. Back then I guess zoos were slightly more excusable than now, as there wasn't the zoological TV programs that we have today, or at least very few, and badly made at that. In the modern world everyone can study wild animals in the natural habitat through TV. Zoologists can and do study in the wild or at least in reserves in the animals' native environment. The only zoo I'm happy to tolerate these days is the ABC forum.

He definately wouldn't have been happy with that exit! All that crocodilian heroics and he dies by stingray. Kinda like a soldier making it though a war, coming home and getting run over by a luggage trolley on the runway. Nevermind...I'm sure there are worse conditions in which to bow out. We'll 'ave to see :) There's nothing worse than a neighbour with crap wind chimes (except Juliet).

Yeah, but it sounds cool, doesn't it? "Death by stingray" ... I wouldn't mind that on my tombstone! (God rest his soul & sympathies to those close to him) ~PEPS~ “There is no spoon.”

I'm of the belief that you don't approach a horse from behind, 'cos horses kick. Thus, you don't approach a stingray by way of its stinger, 'cos you'll get stinged. He must have been mucking about with the poor thing; they're usually quite docile, apparently. For all his posturing he didn't actually seem to have much respect for the animals except as props for his bravura. I do feel sad for Terri and kids however.

I rarely feel for those who have actually died... especially when they have died doing what they "love" (whatever the rights or wrongs of what he did)... it's those who've been left behind... I suspect he would rather have been killed by a stingray that... ooh, I dunno... choking on a Hula Hoop or something... now that would be infuriating! ~PEPS~ “There is no spoon.”

Well, at least it was quick. A momentary stab of pain, a flash of the thought,"Crikey!"...ah, who knows.

It may not have been quick... he may have been engaged in a 12-bout struggle with the beast... "And in the electric blue corner..." (?) ~PEPS~ “There is no spoon.”

'Apparently he was lying on top of it!!!!!' I rest my case! Who in the hell, in their right mind, would *lie on top* of a fricking stingray with a 20 cm venomous barb on the end of its tail?!

Maybe he fell asleep... it's tiring work taunting deadly creatures, you know... ~PEPS~ “There is no spoon.”

LOL! You got it!

So did he!!!!! :-O ~PEPS~ “There is no spoon.”

Someone said on the news this evening that stingrays will only attack if they feel threatened. Nuff said.

Apparently Steve Irwin’s response to the question, ‘What is the most dangerous situation you have been in involving an animal?’ was ‘I’ve had many, many close calls – too numerous to mention really.’ And to the question, ‘Have you ever been injured by an animal?’, he apparently replied, ‘Yes, many times – crocodiles, monitor lizards, alligators and hundreds of snakes have all had a little piece of me.’ http://www.animalplanetasia.com/steve_irwin/index.shtml But he was an enthusiastic chap and it’s a shame what happened. Was impressed with the efficiency of this link’s info though: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Irwin When I checked on it this morning, his death had already been noted.

Very unfortunate for his wife and kids. The guy certainly made a name for himself. The Evel Knievel of the animal world. The old saying holds true....Stupid is as stupid does. Visit me http://www.radiodenver.org/

I think it's sad that he's gone he had his good and bad points but he represented a dying breed of people who grab your attention and for a change point it in a direction that's worthwhile. I'd rather watch one of his shows than the reality TV trash that fills the idiot box normally. On another note how long did it take for everyone to get their first joke about his death? I had one waiting in my inbox for me when I arrived at work at eight o'clock yesterday morning - apparently there's no mourning period for emails...

"We real Australians thank you kindly!" So he wasn't *actually* Australian? Or are you talking entirely out of your arse? ~ I'll Show You Tyrants * Fuselit * The Prowl Log * Woe's Woe

Seeing as Louisecypher is actually jasper, what do you think?

Yeah, just noticed that via the other forum. ~ I'll Show You Tyrants * Fuselit * The Prowl Log * Woe's Woe

Sky news have reported that his death was filmed by the documentary tv crew. He was stung, pulled the barb out, and then lost consciousness. The footage was handed to the police. Some sicko somewhere'll be uploading that onto the www as we speak. There's nothing more mind-teasing than the incomprehensible eagerly avowed - Dennet

From the death of Steve Irwin to grammar: now that's one sideways shift. Way to go Jude! Back to the thread. The Guardian called it Australia's Diana moment. I think he was more important than that.

Well now...wasn't that special? Visit me http://www.radiodenver.org/

quote 'Apparently he was lying on top of it!!!!!' I rest my case! Who in the hell, in their right mind, would *lie on top* of a fricking stingray with a 20 cm venomous barb on the end of its tail?! unquote The trouble with resting your case before the full facts are known means you are likely to look a dickhead later on. It's a bit like forum-life. Who in the hell, in their right mind, would contrdict Archergirl, knowing a venomous barb would follow? btw, Note I've corrected your grammar. Your comment implies that the one who lies on top of a stingray has the barb - which - if you follow the logic, makes it seem sensible. See ya, shorty.

I guess I goofed in thinking that jasper had edited his posts in a moment of rare regret. I re-posted them in order that everyone could see what a waste of space he is. I was a bit hasty as it now appears his posts were removed by the management, a sign that he won't be here long, well that's a surprise. Sorry John etc.

When asked about his favourite childhood programmes, Steve Irwin replied, "Thunderbirds was best but there's always be a place in my heart for Stingray".