Stephen Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter

Stephen Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter (February 1962 --September 2006), died on September 4th when a stingray off the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia, pierced his chest with its stinger. While stingray injuries are rarely fatal, there's often an allergic reaction to stingray venom and being exposed near the heart can be fatal.

Irwin owned and operated the Australia Zoo at Beerwah in Queensland. He was quite famous internationally for his role in the TV show The Crocodile Hunter which initially began in 1992 with filmed footage of his honeymoon with his wife Terri in which they trapped and relocated crocodiles.

Due to his enormous amount of energy, enthusiasm, and 'good guy' appeal, Irwin's death affects me more than any other celebrity I can recall. His being only 44 has some influence but it's mostly because he just seemed to love life so much. His enthusiasm for his zoo and tv show as well as his family imbued everything he did with a sense of immediacy. The world is far poorer for his passing.

It's ironic that after handling many of the most dangerous animals and insects on the planet that Steve Irwin died as a result of a stingray. I guess you just never know... Crikey, indeed.

Comments

kenju said…
I just read about this on MSNBC and I feel sooooo sad for his widow and two kids. It IS ironic that he died from a stingray - and not one of the crocs or snakes he handled. Steve brought me many hours of pleasure and laughter (his accent and "Crikey"), and I will miss his programs.

Michele sent me.
8:20 AM
LBA said…
It's all very sad. Premature death by accident or misdemeanor always rocks me.

They're youngish, fit-ish, healthy-ish ... death is for the old and frail and weak.

His poor poor wife and kids :(
9:17 AM
LBA said…
oops - and Michele also sends her sympathies...
9:18 AM
Star said…
That is truly the lesson here. You just never know. At least he did what he loved to do. Much like Michele, who sent me.
10:17 AM
Moogie said…
I read this this morning when I was drinking my first cup of coffee. The kids and I watched his show all the time and loved it. Something about him always made be feel so happy. He had a real zest for life. He will be greatly missed.

BTW...Michele sent me!
11:07 AM
srp said…
Michele sent me.

Saw this on the news this AM and it did shock me more than I expected. I feel so bad for his small children who will miss out on all that energy, growing up. He did love his family as well as nature.
11:40 AM
Anonymous said…
I did not know this until I read your post and I am stunned..and sad. He was an amazing man full of life. I don't believe we go willy nilly, I believe we decide when we go, so a death like this is shocking indeed.
Here from Michele's.
11:44 AM
Danielle said…
so sad! r.i.p. croc hunter.
11:46 AM
OldLady Of The Hills said…
I read thios on someone else's blog and was quite shocked. He had such a dun side to him he always made his dealings with all these dangerous animals humerous within in the context of danger...Very very sad to have that much :love of life" and be stricken down ay such a young age.

Dave....Rent "GILDA". I think you will like it, a lot! Rita Hayworth's rendition of "Put The Blame On Mame" is fabulous!
12:02 PM
carmilevy said…
He was so passionate about what he did that it was difficult to watch him and not be somehow inspired to crank up the volume on our own lives. He was an original, and he will be missed.
12:25 PM
Moon said…
His enthusiasum was addictive when u watched him doing whatever he was doing. Hard to believe he is gone. Thoughts for his family will be felt all over the world.
Here from Micheles today.
3:08 PM
Michelle said…
Dave, if Steve could only see all the fab tributes to him all over the blog world, he'd say CRIKEY!!!
As an Aussie and a Queenslander myself, i know he's going to be deeply missed :(
1:48 AM
Dee said…
It did sadden me but did not surprise me that he died in this manner. He loved pushing the envelope to the limit. He died doing what he loved best.
2:41 AM
Anonymous said…
Yes, it was pretty sad news. He was a big Australian Icon. It actually happened just up the road from where I live (I live in Cairns). The area where it happened really is one of the most beautiful places on the earth. The water is so crystal clear and the sky so blue. He will be sorely missed.

BTW Michele sent me today...
8:20 AM
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