He died from the sting to the heart from a stingray, while filming a documentary about them.
tashfeen
· 3 years ago
really unfortunate. everyone in my family loved his eccentric documentary style. very educational for the young.
for some reason, my day today isnt going so well as i've been hoping it would :S...hence i havent been updating my blog either...bad karma day or what...
Paul Stamatiou
· 3 years ago
I think my MacBook is taking a day of remembrance as it likes turning itself off, a lot.
John C. Welch
· 3 years ago
Once again, we get reminded that humans are only the top of the food chain under specific favorable circumstances.
Diego
· 3 years ago
Robert, amazing how Irwin's profile on wikipedia was instantly updated. As was his wife's profile updated with "Terri Raines Irwin AM (born July 20, 1964) is the American-born widow of Steve Irwin,"
Quite amazing.
The ABC even provided a Google Map link to where he was killed.
The sad irony is that Stingrays are fairly placid creatures, and their venom is not deadly. Considering some of the dangerous situations that he placed himself in, this one was rather innocuous.
Podesta
· 3 years ago
Steve Irwin was a self-promoter who was not really knowledgeable about biology or zoology. Instead, he relied on fast talk and stunts to attract attention. One of his more irresponsible stunts was dangling his month old son while feeding meat to hungry alligators. (Claimed he was teaching the infant not to be afraid of animals.) Seems to me that his reckless, attention seeking behavior reached a rather foreseeable conclusion.
It is really amazing how many people confuse 'edutainment' with education.
Guy Pelletier
· 3 years ago
Podesta, What are you talking about, Steve was an animal rights activist. Steve did more for bringing attention to the plight of animals than anybody else.
Get your facts straight.
Guy Pelletier
Diego
· 3 years ago
I agree with you Guy. There was an excellent interview with Steve a while ago, it was shown again on Australian TV last night. The transcript is here. Shame there's no video available for viewing online. Maybe on bittorrent?
Was it edutainment, yes - however "edu" is in the term for a reason.
Steve Irwin worked with animals since he was a child, age 6 in fact. He ran a zoo (one of Australia's most recognized zoos in fact), was a dedicated volunteer for government programs (Queensland Government's East Coast Crocodile Management program), operated the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation and International Crocodile Rescue, and made many efforts through his show to educate viewers about the dangers and beauties of these animals.
Calling him an unknowledgable self-promoter is not only a disgrace to his image but is grossly inaccurate.
gizo
· 3 years ago
Podesta - I agree that Steve was a bit of an idiot, and that he did some stupid things. However, I hardly think its fair to turn his death into an opportunity to slag him off.
monkeyleader
· 3 years ago
What a special man (Steve) and one who just oozed passion for all things nature. Sure some people thought he was barmy but his intoxicating style got others interested in nature and conservation so thats a fantastic thing.
One thing we all seem to forget when someone in the public limelight dies is the loss to their family, and right now my thoughts and prayers are with Terri and their two kids. We have lost a fantastic personaility, they have lost their husband and father.
Steve your gone, but in no way forgotton and on my trip to Houston this morning I'm glad I've got some crocodile diaries loaded onto my Archos.
indeed sad news about Irwin. Will have to be added to the "Horrible and Ironic Ways to Die" list.
Wesley Parish
· 3 years ago
FWIW, Steve did make conservation a topic of interest to thousands who would never have paid attention to it otherwise. He was larger than life to most of us - well, practically all of us - and made us sit up and pay attention.
He will be missed. People like him don't come with the morning paper.
Podesta
· 3 years ago
I stand by my remarks. The fact that so many people drank the Steve Irwin Kool Aid doesn't make it any less artificial. Anyone so lacking in judgment that he would risk a newborn baby's life to obtain the limelight doesn't deserve admiration to a reasonably thoughtful person. As someone else observed, it is extremely rare for anyone to be stung by a stingray because they live in isolated conditions and are retiring creatures. One would probably have to go looking for trouble. Irwin probably did. That would fit right in with his penchant for attention seeking.
While we are on the topic, it is remarkable that people are buying the hype regarding another attention seeker so soon after the John Mark Karr fiasco. But, then, some circus promoter said that suckers are, um, common.
Pete
· 3 years ago
Podesta - I agree with the others. You know far too little about Steve to understand who he is or what he was trying to do.
First off - your remark about stingrays is WAY off. Stingrays are found along both coasts of the US and there are literally HUNDREDS of individuals who get stung by stingrays every year -- and all those indivduals are doing is swimming at the beach, surfing, etc. In Steve's case, he was unlucky enough to get the spine right through his heart -- an EXTREMELY rare situation. If it had been a few inches in either direction he would have had a nasty, painful wound, but he would have lived. Most people who get stung get it in the foot or ankle since they scare the stingray while walking through the surf or along the bottom.
As for Steve himself, do a little research. He wasn't doing any of the things he was doing because he was seeking attention for himself. It was his love of animals that drove him. He was literally croc hunting in Australia while still a teenager -- long before anyone filmed any of his work. Why? He (and his father) believed it was better to catch the crocs that were being a nuisance and relocate them rather than have the crocs destroyed. He got the publicity he did later in life because of his remarkable work in wildlife conservation. He took advantage of that publicity to teach people about the animals he so loved. What's the harm in that?
Dirk Cleenwerck
· 3 years ago
Just like with most things in life, aren't there two sides to the coin. Yes, Steve loved animals. Yes, Steve did a lot of things for wildlife conservation. Steve got the publicity because of his wild antics, and his love for animals. Yes, Steve loved the attention. Yes, he sold his show to television stations world wide, made himself to be a known face, and lots of money in the process. Nobody is going to tell me when they watched his shows that they didn't wonder if it would ever go wrong. Sad day for Steve's family, yes, but sad day for Steve, I don't know, because he died doing what he loved to do. Whichever way we see it, I know he will be missed.
swedishfish
· 3 years ago
I think people like Podesta are really too judgemental and should watch their own faults instead of commenting on others'. Have some respect, honestly!
raincoaster
· 3 years ago
I wonder about Podesta's thought processes; what kind of person thinks the occasion of a man's death is the time to compare him to a self-confessed, delusional child molester and would-be murderer? Moving on...
Steve Irwin's death is a great loss to the world. The sheer beauty of his enthusiasm for animals was inspiring to thousands of people, more than he ever intended or imagined. He was mobbed when he made appearances here in Canada, a fact which never failed to flabbergast him, but in this detached society we simply never get to see that kind of unreserved love; when we do, how can we help but be drawn to it.
I'll never forget the time Steve was in Kalimantan, climbing trees with the endangered orangutans, and a mother gave him her baby to hold. He was thirty feet up a tree, but even in a long shot you could see his tears falling down like rain.
The man had a gift for not only feeling love, but for expressing that love before the world in a way that made us all around the world honour and share it, if only for a brief time.
penny kennedy
· 3 years ago
it matters not if he was a hero to animals or an idiot.. he was a very likeable human being who will be sorely missed. my prayers go out to his family. rest in peace steve irwin.. you gave many of us thoroughly enjoyable times.
Podesta
· 3 years ago
Swedish said:
"I wonder about Podesta’s thought processes; what kind of person thinks the occasion of a man’s death is the time to compare him to a self-confessed, delusional child molester and would-be murderer? Moving on…."
It is called a RATIONAL thought process, pal. A rational person does not look at a vacuous self-promoter and see a hero. He sees someone seeking attention, much like Karr. Obviously, there is a lack of rational people in the world. Heck, polls say seventy percent of Americans believe in angels. I suspect that includes people on this thread.
Pete said:
"First off - your remark about stingrays is WAY off. Stingrays are found along both coasts of the US and there are literally HUNDREDS of individuals who get stung by stingrays every year — and all those indivduals are doing is swimming at the beach, surfing, etc. In Steve’s case, he was unlucky enough to get the spine right through his heart — an EXTREMELY rare situation. If it had been a few inches in either direction he would have had a nasty, painful wound, but he would have lived. Most people who get stung get it in the foot or ankle since they scare the stingray while walking through the surf or along the bottom."
Unlucky, my ass. Irwin pursued a school of stringrays, getting much too close to the animals, something he made a habit of. That was just plain negligence.
I don't remember who said that Irwin's petting zoo without the petting is a real zoo, but I do want to correct that. It is a privately owned tourist attraction, not actually sanctioned by any zoological authority.
Irwin may have been enthusiastic, full of pep, colorful etc. But, he was, as I said before, he was a self-promoter who was more about entertainment than education. The Great White Hunter attire, Tarzan and Jane deal with the 'mate,' overstated accent, and so on, were an act. This is being made clear in many 'second day' stories about him in the media. Hopefully, that will counter the hype machine.
Lise Kargaard
· 3 years ago
What a massive loss to conservation. Irwin was someone who brought such awareness of endangered species to the world.
We need someone here in South Africa to bring conservation and the plight of our animals into daily discussion.
Cy
· 3 years ago
He will NOT be missed by sensible people who have brains enough to see that it is the manifest role of humanity to exterminate all the critters who compete with us for space, with the exception of our close relatives the chimpanzees, gorillas, orang-utangs and other apes. Bacteria, vegetation, pollinating insects, birds (not birds of prey), and no doubt a few other areas of life we need. The others, we do not. Steve and his ilk are winning. This is bad news, as sheep farmers lose flocks to re-introduced wolves. It is perverse of me to feel triumphant at the bloke's demise, but I do. cyquick.wordpress.com
All Comments
for some reason, my day today isnt going so well as i've been hoping it would :S...hence i havent been updating my blog either...bad karma day or what...
Quite amazing.
The ABC even provided a Google Map link to where he was killed.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200609/s17...
How long before the footage appears on YouTube?
We live in interesting times.
It is really amazing how many people confuse 'edutainment' with education.
What are you talking about, Steve was an animal rights activist.
Steve did more for bringing attention to the plight of animals than anybody else.
Get your facts straight.
Guy Pelletier
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts...
Was it edutainment, yes - however "edu" is in the term for a reason.
Steve Irwin worked with animals since he was a child, age 6 in fact. He ran a zoo (one of Australia's most recognized zoos in fact), was a dedicated volunteer for government programs (Queensland Government's East Coast Crocodile Management program), operated the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation and International Crocodile Rescue, and made many efforts through his show to educate viewers about the dangers and beauties of these animals.
Calling him an unknowledgable self-promoter is not only a disgrace to his image but is grossly inaccurate.
However, I hardly think its fair to turn his death into an opportunity to slag him off.
One thing we all seem to forget when someone in the public limelight dies is the loss to their family, and right now my thoughts and prayers are with Terri and their two kids. We have lost a fantastic personaility, they have lost their husband and father.
Steve your gone, but in no way forgotton and on my trip to Houston this morning I'm glad I've got some crocodile diaries loaded onto my Archos.
Nige
indeed sad news about Irwin. Will have to be added to the "Horrible and Ironic Ways to Die" list.
He will be missed. People like him don't come with the morning paper.
While we are on the topic, it is remarkable that people are buying the hype regarding another attention seeker so soon after the John Mark Karr fiasco. But, then, some circus promoter said that suckers are, um, common.
First off - your remark about stingrays is WAY off. Stingrays are found along both coasts of the US and there are literally HUNDREDS of individuals who get stung by stingrays every year -- and all those indivduals are doing is swimming at the beach, surfing, etc. In Steve's case, he was unlucky enough to get the spine right through his heart -- an EXTREMELY rare situation. If it had been a few inches in either direction he would have had a nasty, painful wound, but he would have lived. Most people who get stung get it in the foot or ankle since they scare the stingray while walking through the surf or along the bottom.
As for Steve himself, do a little research. He wasn't doing any of the things he was doing because he was seeking attention for himself. It was his love of animals that drove him. He was literally croc hunting in Australia while still a teenager -- long before anyone filmed any of his work. Why? He (and his father) believed it was better to catch the crocs that were being a nuisance and relocate them rather than have the crocs destroyed. He got the publicity he did later in life because of his remarkable work in wildlife conservation. He took advantage of that publicity to teach people about the animals he so loved. What's the harm in that?
Steve Irwin's death is a great loss to the world. The sheer beauty of his enthusiasm for animals was inspiring to thousands of people, more than he ever intended or imagined. He was mobbed when he made appearances here in Canada, a fact which never failed to flabbergast him, but in this detached society we simply never get to see that kind of unreserved love; when we do, how can we help but be drawn to it.
I'll never forget the time Steve was in Kalimantan, climbing trees with the endangered orangutans, and a mother gave him her baby to hold. He was thirty feet up a tree, but even in a long shot you could see his tears falling down like rain.
The man had a gift for not only feeling love, but for expressing that love before the world in a way that made us all around the world honour and share it, if only for a brief time.
"I wonder about Podesta’s thought processes; what kind of person thinks the occasion of a man’s death is the time to compare him to a self-confessed, delusional child molester and would-be murderer? Moving on…."
It is called a RATIONAL thought process, pal. A rational person does not look at a vacuous self-promoter and see a hero. He sees someone seeking attention, much like Karr. Obviously, there is a lack of rational people in the world. Heck, polls say seventy percent of Americans believe in angels. I suspect that includes people on this thread.
Pete said:
"First off - your remark about stingrays is WAY off. Stingrays are found along both coasts of the US and there are literally HUNDREDS of individuals who get stung by stingrays every year — and all those indivduals are doing is swimming at the beach, surfing, etc. In Steve’s case, he was unlucky enough to get the spine right through his heart — an EXTREMELY rare situation. If it had been a few inches in either direction he would have had a nasty, painful wound, but he would have lived. Most people who get stung get it in the foot or ankle since they scare the stingray while walking through the surf or along the bottom."
Unlucky, my ass. Irwin pursued a school of stringrays, getting much too close to the animals, something he made a habit of. That was just plain negligence.
I don't remember who said that Irwin's petting zoo without the petting is a real zoo, but I do want to correct that. It is a privately owned tourist attraction, not actually sanctioned by any zoological authority.
Irwin may have been enthusiastic, full of pep, colorful etc. But, he was, as I said before, he was a self-promoter who was more about entertainment than education. The Great White Hunter attire, Tarzan and Jane deal with the 'mate,' overstated accent, and so on, were an act. This is being made clear in many 'second day' stories about him in the media. Hopefully, that will counter the hype machine.
We need someone here in South Africa to bring conservation and the plight of our animals into daily discussion.