The Yak Shack Forum

Apparently stung by a stingray...

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/crocodile-man-steve-irwin-dies/2006/09/04/1157222051494.html

It is totally unbelievable. I heard about it a couple of hours ago and im still in shock...

Steve was someone who cared so much for the environment and animals. He was active in the conservation of many of Australia's species. His energy and spirit was topped only by his good nature and genuine care for every living creature on this earth. A truly great person who has done a lot for Australia. He will be very sadly missed.

 :'( 

I heard about this at work and I originally thought that the person who told me was kidding. Sadly, it was true. One of the girls at work is going to Australia Zoo (the one set up by the Irwins) as a volunteer keeper and says that this has made her more determined than ever to do what she can to help out. Steve Irwin has been a great ambassador for Australia and like Trey says, he truly cared about animals and the environment. We'll miss him.

Vale Steve :'( :'( :'(

I've just read about this online - I was stunned and so very sorry to hear about it!! :o
I know he was always a risk-taker and from what I read it sounded like one of those freak accidents rather than him doing something daft ...  :-\ :( ... the report only said that he'd been stung by a stingray barb but didn't go into that much detail about how it happened ....  :-\

You're right though - definitely a larger-than-life character who will be sorely missed for all his conservation work ... I feel for his wife and young family at a time like this too. :-[ :(

It was a very freak accident actually...the barb punctured his heart and he died very quickly by the sounds of it  :'(
This is tragic, it is all over our evening news here in Oz, mourners are pouring into Australia Zoo and the loss seems to be felt by everyone here in Oz and indeed around the world  :'(

On another note take a look at this:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/THE-CROCODILE-HUNTER-STEVE-IRWIN-TRADING-CARDS-FULL-SET_W0QQitemZ180024622757QQihZ008QQcategoryZ105179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Geez

That's sick :P

Proper shocked, I love to watch this man and what he has done in heightening the awareness of nature conservation and the protection of animals has really got to be admired.
I am sure he will be sadly missed and my thought are with his family.

This has saddened me greatly. He was a man that brought such light and cheer to everyone he encountered.  You just had to smile when you saw him. He was real, authentic, and true;  he was a breath of fresh air that will be sorely missed.   :'(

He is a complete loss. It's a sad day today.

I too add my condolences.  My wife and I watched his shows over the years on Animal Planet and The Discovery Channel and agree that he enlightened many on animal and environmental issues.  We will miss him.   :(

I heard on the radio today.  My family loved his show.  What a character he was, and such an exciting personality!  I would have loved to have seen him in person at his zoo.  :'(

It's so so sad. I feel so badly for his wife and children. He really cared about wildlife, and I hope someone else will continue his fight for him.

Irony has a new definition.

Imagine a fellow who would never hurt an anima,l and could be said to be their best friend, meeting such a fate.

This is so not cool

10 stingrays have been found mutilated on Queensland beaches in apparent revenge attacks.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/5340906.stm

It was just a natural knee-jerk reaction from the stingray to lash out at Irwin, and people have taken it really personally, that just contradicts everything that Irwin was about, it's a real shame!

I know I'm weird (and off-topic) but I love the way stingrays propel themselves in the water...

It's sad... its exactly what Steve would NOT want them to do.

I must say that I am surprised it made the news over there... you guys loved him more than us ;)

absolutely horrendous, makes you wonder if these apparently revenge attacks know what Steve did or even who he was (they defiantly didn't know what he stood for., he spent so much of his time tacking the our fear from animals whilst showing them the up most respect and understanding, there is now such a big gap to fill for someone to try and get people like this to understand what Steve was trying to show them..

How sad.  It was a freak accident--the stingray was defending itself from perceived danger.  It was a tragedy, yes, but to seek revenge against a usually docile animal is just horrendous.  Such acts are certainly not what Steve would have wanted, nor would he ever condone.  He loved animals. The fact that he died doing what he loved is poetic, in a sense.  People should understand that. 

There has been a lot of coverage over here about his death.  On Entertainment Tonight, they showed footage of many many families leaving flowers, notes, and cards at a public memorial. They talked to little children who were absolutely in tears.  One, through many tears, said "I miss you...I hope you're happy in heaven." It broke my heart--I was in tears.  :'( So many loved him--he was an inspiration to so many, children and adults alike. 

I did hear that his wife is planning to continue with an animal show he created for his daughter before he died. Perhaps she will follow in her daddy's footsteps.