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September 05, 2006
The Crocodile Hunter no more
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I am in total shock. I thought it was a joke when I heard Flyfm talking in passing about Steven Irwin dead from a stingray attack straight to his heart. I mean I have heard about Steve Irwin dying many times, and all were hoaxes. But when I read the Star Newspaper and a few online reports, it was no joke. Steve Irwin, the popular Crocodile Hunter, the man who made wildlife observation such a personal and exciting thing, especially the way he went about capturing a crocodile is truly really dead. He was 44, leaving behind 2 young children and I am sure a devastated wife. I am still shocked. I can't believe he's dead. I am a fan of his shows, although sometimes I thought he had too much bravado in the way he handled dangerous wildlife. I even liked his movie. I thought he was such a big personality type of person who was truly passionate about his work as well as his life. I can't believe he's dead. And the irony was a stingray, peaceful stingray used its tail and pierced him through the heart and I think death was almost instant.
I think that is why "Uncle" Sir David Attenborough is in his 80s and still making documentaries. For one, Sir David doesn't really do really dangerous animals (but I believe he did stand in the middle of dozens of Komodo dragons at one point of his career) and more importantly whilst Steve believed in hands on approach, Sir David was more of a silent observor. Frankly I prefer Sir David's style, my most favourite documentary maker but Steve Irwin was about fun, having no fear and believing in a cause with such passion.
I am going to miss him, if I ever get through this shock faze of mine. I am just too shocked to even feel the numbness of the pain. Of all things, a stingray. Which shows he may have been an expert of crocodiles and even snakes which was why he was ok numerous times but really, if there is one lesson to be learnt, bad luck does exist and that if you're no expert of certain animals, maybe try staying away from them because gentle or not, in the end animals are unpredictable which is why they're called wildlife.
This is a mourning period for me because I have seen him so often in TV and I even witnessed the birth of his daughter! This is just ... pure bad luck I suppose. How can one explain why the stingray struck when reports said he didn't do anything to provoke it and I believe he wouldn't have?
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Born in Essendon, a suburb of Melbourne, Steve Irwin moved with his parents as a child to Queensland. His parents, Bob and Lyn, ran the small Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, where Steve grew up around crocodiles and other reptiles. He became a crocodile trapper, removing crocodiles from near populated areas, performing the service for free with the quid pro quo that he kept them for the park. As a child, he had a negative encounter with a macaw, which throughout his life left him with a fear of parrots.
In 1991, he took over the running of the park, now renamed the "Australia Zoo", and in 1992 met (at the park) and married Terri. The footage, shot by John Stainton, of their crocodile-trapping honeymoon became the first episode of The Crocodile Hunter, which became wildly successful in America.
Under Steve's expansive leadership, the operations have grown to include the zoo, the television series, The Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation, and International Crocodile Rescue. Improvements to his Australia Zoo include the Animal Planet Crocoseum, the rainforest aviary, and Tiger Temple.
In 2001, Steve appeared in a cameo role in the Eddie Murphy film Dr. Dolittle 2. In 2002, his first feature film, The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, was released. In general, reviews of this film were negative. However, in 2003, Irwin was reportedly in line to host a chat show on Australian network television.
The Irwins have two children: a daughter, Bindi Sue Irwin (born 24 July 1998), and a son, Robert (Bob) Clarence Irwin (born 1 December 2003). Their dog, Sui, from which their daughter's middle name was derived, died in June 2004.
Major controversy arose during a public show on 2 January 2004, when Irwin carried his infant son, Bob, in one arm while feeding a chicken carcass to a crocodile with the other hand. The infant was close to the crocodile, and comparisons were made in the press with Michael Jackson's dangling of his son outside a German apartment window. In addition, child welfare groups, animal rights groups, and many of Irwin's television viewers criticised his actions as being irresponsible and tantamount to child abuse. Irwin claimed that any danger to his son was only a perceived danger and that he was in complete control of the situation, and consistently refused to apologize for his actions despite considerable public outcry both in Australia and abroad. His defenders pointed to his several decades of hands-on experience and direct interaction with crocodiles. Terri Irwin claimed that their child was in no more real danger than a child being taught to swim would be. No charges were filed (although the police did visit Irwin at his home and advised him not to repeat the incident).
Irwin went on to star in other Animal Planet documentaries, including The Croc Files, The Crocodile Hunter Diaries, and New Breed Vets.
In June 2004, Irwin again was the subject of controversy when allegations were made that he came too close to and disturbed some wildlife (namely whales, seals and penguins) while filming a documentary in Antarctica. Interacting with Antarctic wildlife in a disapproved manner may be a breach of Australian federal and international laws. Subsequently, the matter was closed without charges being filed.
Animal Planet then released a Crocodile Hunter special called "Crocodiles & Controversy", which attempted to explain both the "Baby Bob Incident" and the Antarctica incident. This special argues that Irwin's son was never in danger of being eaten by the crocodile and that Irwin could not have endangered animals in Antarctica.
Animal Planet ended the The Crocodile Hunter with a series finale entitled "Steve's Last Adventure". The last Crocodile Hunter documentary went for three emotional hours with footage of Steve's across-the-world adventure, visiting locations like the Himalayas, the Yangtze River, Borneo, and the Kruger National Park.
In January 2006 as part of Australia Week celebrations in the USA, Steve appeared at the Pauley Pavilion, UCLA Los Angeles, California. During an interview on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Steve announced that Discovery Kids will be developing a show for his daughter, Bindi Sue.[1] The show, Jungle Girl, was tipped to be similar to The Wiggles movies, with songs that surround a story. A feature-length episode of Australian kids TV show The Wiggles entitled "Wiggly Safari" appears dedicated to Steve, and he features in it heavily with his wife and daughter. The show includes the song "Crocodile Hunter, Big Steve Irwin".
On Saturday June 24, 2006, one of the oldest turtles living in Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo, died of heart failure. The turtle, Harriet, was 176 years old and was considered part of Irwin's family. Harriet was thought to have belonged to Charles Darwin.
Steve Irwin was active in politics and was a supporter of the conservative Liberal Party of Australia. In particular, he strongly supported the incumbent Prime Minister John Howard.
On September 4, 2006, shortly after 11:00 a.m. local time, Irwin was killed in a marine accident while filming an underwater documentary in the Batt Reef off the Low Isles near Port Douglas, north of Cairns, Queensland, Australia. It is believed that a stingray barb penetrated his heart, causing a fatal wound, though this has yet to be confirmed by Australian officials. Ironically, it has been reported that his new documentary was aimed at demystifying the stingray.[2]
The Queensland Police Service issued a statement saying Mr. Irwin collapsed after being stung at Batt Reef, Low Isles off Port Douglas about 11am. He had been filming a documentary. Source AAP and SMH.com.au Sydney Morning Herald & AAP. Steve Irwin killed by stingray. Sydney Morning Herald, AAP. URL accessed on 2006-09-04, 2006.
Police said Mr Irwin's family has been advised and Irwin's body was being flown to Cairns.
It is believed his American-born wife Terri was trekking on Cradle Mountain in Tasmania when the incident happened.
Police in Tasmania say she has been informed of her husband's death.
The Irwins have two children, an eight-year-old a daughter, Bindi Sue, and a three-year-old son, Robert Clarence, usually known as Bob.
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2 COMMENTS
I agree that it's ironic because given his past encounters with deadlier animals, it was a sting ray that did it. I mean, i've pet a sting ray before.
It's really ironic....Can't believe its a helpless stingray but not something esle.....