Steve Irwin. A National Treasure
Mikey 20 comments
Australian News sites are coming under heavy fire today, to the point of timing out on even the most popular sources during the scramble to get more information on what at first sounds like a tasteless prank. But this is no prank. The news regarding the demise of our famous crocodile hunter is sadly true.
At around 11am Eastern Standard today, Steve Irwin, while filming a documentary at Port Douglas, was killed when a sting ray barb penetrated his chest. He was killed instantly.
Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. A tragic loss not only to his family, but to all Australians.
Steve Irwin aside from being known around the globe as 'the crocodile hunter' was also a massive contributor and supporter of animal and wildlife conservation. Owner of the Australia Zoo in Brisbane, Irwin was also somewhat of a political conservationist being an outspoken critic of the slaughter of wildlife in Australia.
It was certainly far from Irwin's time. The lovable larrikin had a great deal more to teach and show us. He was wise, funny, inspiring, and without a doubt one of our greatest national treasures.
He will be missed by all.
Update: As a tribute, Enough Rope will be replaying the 2003 interview with Steve Irwin tonight on ABC at 9.35pm. You can also read the Enough Rope transcript of this interview here and from an interview with both Steve and Terri (March 2004) here.
Manifesto
Monday 4th September 2006 | 05:47 PMWhat a freaking tragedy. Anyone would have bet money a croc was his most likely executioner not a bloody stingray. Its so sad. I hope the family finds comfort in knowing he was doing what he loves best. Rest in Peace, Steve Irwin. You bloody great aussie you. You will be missed.
Don
Tuesday 5th September 2006 | 12:12 AMRest in Peace, Steve. You will be missed the whole world over.
jez
Tuesday 5th September 2006 | 10:37 AMOK, this IS going to sound really stupid, but I could not sleep last night. I'm the guy that sleeps till 11am most days, yet here I am writing my tribute to this great man at 8.30 am. I could not, and can not believe that this bizarre incident has happened, the way it has happened. Talk about a genuine tragedy. Steve's energy and enthusiasm for life, people, animals, the environment and particularly for his family and staff at Oz Zoo was unparalleled. He truly was a national, no, an international treasure. Rest in Peace Big Fella. You made this Aussie proud to call you one of us! My thoughts and love go out to your wife, beautiful children and family.
Jez...
Chimera
Tuesday 5th September 2006 | 11:29 AMIts as if a peice of Australia is missing. It just doesnt feel right.
a kiwi perspective
Tuesday 5th September 2006 | 12:10 PMi guess im glad it wasnt a croc that killed him, just because EVERYONE was basically just waiting for that to happen - and then his critics would have been vindicated, saying his death proves he didnt have the control over those huge beasts that he claimed.
steve might have lost the encounter with that stingray, but he retired undefeated from his lifelong power struggle against his most famous adversary, the mighty saltwater croc.
"...and the glory of the world becomes less than it was."
(condolences from across the ditch)
Shep
Tuesday 5th September 2006 | 04:30 PMThe kingdom of animals and the world of mankind has lost a great human and protector. Somewhere in the back of my mind I feel a small sense of relief that he didnt grow old and wither like so many other great achievers did. We will forever remember him in his prime. Ready to jump a croc or save a snake. A little of me goes with you Steve. Crickey.
Claire
Tuesday 5th September 2006 | 10:28 PMWhat a shock.. I have looked back at all the times that I used to watch him and tears of sadness along with tears of laughter have fallen. When asked by Rove during an interview if he drank coffee in the morning, he replied "By crikey, no way!! Could you imagine me on coffee??!!", and that is how he was. Full of passion, life, excitement, and always seeing things as though for the first time. This world, both the animal and human kingdom, have lost one of their own. Lets make sure that his work continues and that everything he has worked towards only grows in strength, so that he can look down with pride and know that he really did make a difference...
Grant
Wednesday 6th September 2006 | 12:18 AMThe world will miss you Steve! Prayers for his wife and children!
emily
Monday 14th July 2008 | 08:56 AM...in response to this comment by emily . we will miss you steave
Ellen
Monday 10th August 2009 | 02:36 PMI am Sorry to hear about him dying I hope Bindi and his son is still alright I heard about this when I was only
eight years old well I think now I will never be hearing Crikey or I got the big fellow or G'day mate Steve Irwin All I want to say is R.I.P Steve have a good time
Henk V
Monday 23rd August 2010 | 04:23 PMYup all the bed habits he taught kids... its a wonder some creature didnt plug him earlier... I had my bets on a taipan
Yea...He was pretty cool. I liked him from the first time I saw him. Surely, he was a great loss. His wife is from my home State. The world misses him yet.
f~
Henk V
Monday 23rd August 2010 | 07:46 PMThe first time I saw him I was with my best mate. We both said the same thing at the same time."what an idiot, he is going to get himself killed".
that was 1995 and it took at least a decade for it to come true. It just goes to show our fauna isnt trying.
PS... My best friend phoned up one lunch time a few years back..he said, "you know that crocodile man idiot that was always going to get himself killed..."
Henk V
Monday 23rd August 2010 | 07:51 PMand to all those that would cry hero hero... getting killed by a sting ray means you are showing an environment about as much respect as a truckie shows a rollerskate...
ridiculous, honestly, to get killed by a sting ray whilst photographing stingrays shows you have no respect... I wish a rogue bream (US porgie) had been the killing machine just to show what an insensitive jerk this guy always was.
Still, I had always bet it was a taipan... illusions of grandeur on my behalf no doubt.
Gilly
Monday 23rd August 2010 | 09:18 PMHe was entertaining successful wealthy and valued by society, well spoken and generous and had a passion that he loved to share, he had a close and loving family and a life full of excitement
I could put my kids in front of the tv when he was on and feel comfortable with what he taught them
Hey HomerV, I can tell where that bitterness comes from
you have none of that I would bet?
Henk V
Tuesday 24th August 2010 | 01:14 AMaah see you confuse bitterness with teaching people to be stupid.. you learned your lesson well. He didnt
...in response to this comment by Gilly. Wow...Gilly and I agree on something. Now this is a first. Well, I agree with most of it, just not the criticism of Henk, who I like... But Henk, I think you are a bit harsh about Steve:-(
f~
Gilly
Tuesday 24th August 2010 | 01:39 PMSorry Friendo to put a hole in your balloon but I couldnt stand Steve
He was always overacting and over staged. I thought him a goose but I can still appreciate him for what he achieved and I can see why so many were entertained by him
andrew
Monday 4th September 2006 | 05:35 PMtruly unblieveable, he seemed indestuctable,larger than life..crikey!!!....i guess he died doing what he loved most.