The tragic loss of Steve Irwin

[u2kforever]

You know i was telling a few people on another forum, pretty much the bottom line we just have to be careful around " certain animals ".

Some animals are just too risky to be around, its just the way the world is, at the moment. So maybe people can learn something from his death, even tho i doubt anyone will listen.

[the unforgiven]

they talk about his death on french tv
so there will be national mourning and burial in Australia

[Mary-sheccid]

dare2dream28

I congratulate you, really you take passion for the life! You have inspired me.

[QueenBee]

dare2dream28, I didn't mean that he wasn't passionate, or a great person, I know he was! And I admire him for that. But it still doesn't take away from the fact that what he did was dangerous and risky.

THE MAN KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING and don't anyone DARE insinuate that he didn't!!!!!!!

I don't think anyone meant to say that he was clueless, because he obviously did know what he was doing, otherwise he would be smart enough to not get so close. BUT just because you know what you are doing, doesn't mean there is no room for accidents. It can happen in any job.

his mother was around dangerous animals on a daily basis just like he was, and she got killed in a CAR ACCIDENT!

So? I cross the street everyday with risk to get run over by a car, but still I can die from cancer or other things... I don't see what you're trying to say? Yes he knew what he was doing but the risks were still there, and unfortunately he had bad luck.

Did he get too close to the stingray? OBVIOUSLY. BUT, has he been that close before and nothing has gone wrong? YES! The mistake this time is that Steve accidentally boxed the stingray in (via John, his producer/friend), causing the stingray to react like any animal--to protect itself.

Exactly... it wasn't entirely his fault but he obviously would have survived if he hadn't handled the animal. Keep in mind that this still doesn't mean that he didn't know what he was doing. Just because nothing has gone wrong before doesn't mean it will never go wrong. I don't see why we're arguing/discussing really, he did put himself out there, and it happened! Sadly that can happen even if you are skilled in what you're doing, like he was.

You're right, why should I expect any RESPECT or decency from some of the people here? Yes, it is silly of me.

Why are YOU being disrespectful just because people are saying negative things? If you open a thread you can't expect everyone to be nice! No-one is saying he was stupid, and it is of course a tragic loss but it doesn't mean that people can't critisize what he did. Actually from what I saw, no-one is being negative, just honest... it's obvious that there are risks, and he knew about it, he knew that it could kill him, and it did.

[dare2dream28]

Originally Posted by QueenBee

dare2dream28, I didn't mean that he wasn't passionate, or a great person, I know he was! And I admire him for that. But it still doesn't take away from the fact that what he did was dangerous and risky.

Oh I wasn't trying to say that what he did wasn't dangerous or risky, because I sure as heck know it was! He had the scars, broken bones, & surgies to prove it! lol

I don't think anyone meant to say that he was clueless, because he obviously did know what he was doing, otherwise he would be smart enough to not get so close. BUT just because you know what you are doing, doesn't mean there is no room for accidents. It can happen in any job.

I totally agree.

So? I cross the street everyday with risk to get run over by a car, but still I can die from cancer or other things... I don't see what you're trying to say? Yes he knew what he was doing but the risks were still there, and unfortunately he had bad luck.

My point was that throughout the day I had people (not necessarily here) saying to me, "Well he deserved to get killed by an animal! Look at how many animals he handled!" and I finally got tired of hearing it. What I meant by that is just because you do something on a daily basis does *not* mean that whatever *that* is that you do will kill you. So yes, I totally agree with your crossing the street example because that's what I was trying to say.

Exactly... it wasn't entirely his fault but he obviously would have survived if he hadn't handled the animal. Keep in mind that this still doesn't mean that he didn't know what he was doing. Just because nothing has gone wrong before doesn't mean it will never go wrong. I don't see why we're arguing/discussing really, he did put himself out there, and it happened! Sadly that can happen even if you are skilled in what you're doing, like he was.

YES, yes, yes! So far I have agreed with everything you've posted.

Why are YOU being disrespectful just because people are saying negative things? If you open a thread you can't expect everyone to be nice! No-one is saying he was stupid, and it is of course a tragic loss but it doesn't mean that people can't critisize what he did. Actually from what I saw, no-one is being negative, just honest... it's obvious that there are risks, and he knew about it, he knew that it could kill him, and it did.

Ahh, this is where I don't 100% agree. This is what it boils down to: Obviously it is clear that I was/am very upset over Steve's death. I learned about it at 7 a.m. my time (Eastern Standard Time), dealt with harsh criticism at work over it, dealt with sarcastic comments from my dad about it, and then I come home from work to read what's been posted on the thread and I see this:

When you are mad enough to do this kind of thing something bad is gonna end up happening. He pretty much had a death wish.

and then:

Erm...he's dead now.

That was the straw on the camel's back that just set me off. If I wasn't so sensitive about the subject matter at the time, then I probably wouldn't have exploded like I did, but I did and I'm not going to go back & edit myself because then the rest of the thread wouldn't make sense. Like I said earlier, if someone posted something about someone important to them dieing, I wouldn't criticize the person for respect of the poster's feelings, regardless of what I really thought of the deceased. BUT, yeah, I learned that I can't expect that from everyone (and NO, that's not criticizm either!).

Example: My friend always let her dogs run loose at her house since they have a lot of land. Did I agree with this? Absolutely not since their house wasn't that far from a highway. She had her dog for 10 years and nothing happened to him, but sadly, one day he was hit by a car and died. When she told me the news, did I say, "Well that's sad, but he had it coming. You let him loose and you knew the risk of that." Of course not! That would be awful and insensitive of me! The thought ran through my mind, but I still didn't say it because I knew it would hurt her feelings. (BTW before anyone responds, I know the comparison isn't on the same level since I didn't personally know Steve, but still, you get my point).

Anyways so yeah, bottom line is Steve was a hero of mine and it's sad that he's gone.

[dradeel]

Originally Posted by QueenBee

Actually from what I saw, no-one is being negative, just honest... it's obvious that there are risks, and he knew about it, he knew that it could kill him, and it did.

Aye... Noone is talking shit about the guy, as far as I've read. He was a great person, but it's a fact that he took risks, and many think he was taking a bit too many risks - including me. That's all...

Still, even tho he took these risks we won't forget that he did alot of good work for animals. But one should also understand those who feel that some of the things he did was simply for TV-entertainment. Sometimes he shouldn't have to take risks - like with a bunch of crocs. But don't think I bash him for it tho - he didn't hurt the animals in any way, so I'm perfectly fine with what he did! But you should respect that others think that some of it was NOT perfectly fine, as there sometimes was an irony in what he preached and what he did himself. We're not all alike, you know

[QueenBee]

"Well he deserved to get killed by an animal! Look at how many animals he handled!"

That's just wrong. Even if he took the risks, I don't think anyone deserves to be killed!
Well okay a few people, but definitely not Steve Irwin.

I'm sorry about your friend's dog! Gosh! That's so sad. (I think that may seem sarcastic, but it's not at all - it's very sad when you lose your pet!) She should have known better, we live in a really quiet neighbourhood and even I am scared to let my cats loose outside the house because I'm scared they'll get hurt

I never really paid attention to the guy, but it feels really weird now that he's gone. He had such a nice personality and seemed like a happy person overall. :/

[dare2dream28]

Originally Posted by QueenBee

That's just wrong. Even if he took the risks, I don't think anyone deserves to be killed!
Well okay a few people, but definitely not Steve Irwin.

Yep! That's the type of comments I was dealing with all day at work, and that was from people who knew how much I valued him! Needless to say my mood wasn't great when I came into the thread.

I'm sorry about your friend's dog! Gosh! That's so sad. (I think that may seem sarcastic, but it's not at all - it's very sad when you lose your pet!) She should have known better, we live in a really quiet neighbourhood and even I am scared to let my cats loose outside the house because I'm scared they'll get hurt

I didn't think you were sarcastic at all, and yes that was a very very sad time. I remember whenever Rebel (my old beagle) would get loose by manuevering out of his harness, I'd go out on a mission to find him and wouldn't return home without him since there is a highway at the bottom of my property.

I never really paid attention to the guy, but it feels really weird now that he's gone. He had such a nice personality and seemed like a happy person overall. :/

He was definitely one of the most passionate people I've ever seen! He always talked about his family with such pride and to watch his croc hunter specials now where he's describing his love for his family with tears in his eyes so heartbreaking.

Originally Posted by dradeel

We're not all alike, you know

Ahhh, yes, I do know that. No more expecting people to share my opinions on everything.

Originally Posted by Mary-sheccid

dare2dream28

I congratulate you, really you take passion for the life! You have inspired me.

Thank you for your words.

[QueenBee]

A picture from the family's last (?) photoshoot:
http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au/i...ininc4_200.jpg

Source: http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au/i...irwinsinc.html

So sad.

And a funny one:
http://i5.tinypic.com/2u8ecuu.jpg

I found the text online also but I sort of lost it right now, I'll post later if anyone is interested

[Whitney]

I think he was a great man and he risked his life to help people like us learn about the animals of the wild. It was very entertaing to watch him on animal planet while learning amazing stuff about different spieces of animals. He is now gone and I will miss him greatly.

He did enter into a risky and dangerous job but he did it so we all could learn a thing or two about those wild animals.

He is loved by many and he will be missed.

[dare2dream28]

Awwwww, thanks Queenie for those links. LOL@ Bindi in her fairy costume. I'm watching the CNN special on Steve as we speak. Larry King said that website quite a few times throughout the show...I just donated and became a "wildlife warrior." Gahhh this is still so sad!

[Mary-sheccid]

yes dare2dream the pain never turn off....
when u lose somebody that you loved.

but his/her remember is always in ur heart...

[spyretto]

It was so ironic though that he handled crocodolies and he had to go by a stingray. It wasn't so much his fault as a string of bad luck, I suppose.
( While Treadwell was really pushing it with the bears and if anybody is interested there's a fascinating documentary by legendary director Werner Herzog about Treafwell called Grizzly Man. I hope they do something similar about the "Crocodile Hunter" as a tribute cause he gave us so many hours of amazing footage. )

But as we have said so many times before the cosmos is unforgiving and overly random so if you meddle with the flames you're gonna be burned by the fire ( or something like that )

[marina]

Originally Posted by spyretto

It was so ironic though that he handled crocodolies and he had to go by a stingray. It wasn't so much his fault as a string of bad luck, I suppose.

Sorry , but I don’t agree with this. spyretto says , everyone says now it was ironic to go because of Stingray etc. So I decided to chime in (didn’t want at the beginning because it’s really tragic and sad times for those who knew and loved Steve Irwin)
Let’s see :
1. He wasn’t deep diving . He was snorkeling at the shallow water .Meaning ? Not too much space for any maneuvers and too close to the stingray.
2. Sting ray , it’s not a dinner plate size , you know . Those stingrays about 1 meter in diameter and weight up to 100kg . Huge things with bread knife at the end of the tail.
3. They are timid , yeah .. but on another hand they are very easy get frightened; freaky movement , shadow and they go in defensive mode and strike! Cameraman and Steve’s friend knew about this , he says he witnessed not once how stingrays go into defensive mode. It happens to him before(not that he was wounded but he witnessed such things). Best thing in such situation to stay far away. If cameraman knew about this , I’m sure as hell that Steve Irwin knew too.
4. Bad timing ... I don’t really get that point but I was reading these days a lot about the tragedy and what they say it’s something to do with season and sharks , stingrays get especially wary of the danger around such times..

And now imagine ,Steve Irwin just above that beast , 2 m... no room no space…. Like a huge shadow he follows that stingray and follows and follows and follows ..
I wasn’t surprised stingray did strike . It’s not just bad luck /freaky accident . The only thing which is really bad luck -- a wound straight into his heart … If it was arm/leg/or lower torso , they could save a brave man . Very sad.
But as I said he took unnecessary risk . Never take chances with wildlife.

[Rachel]

Originally Posted by marina

But as I said he took unnecessary risk . Never take chances with wildlife.

Marina, I totally agree.

I'm not trying to be mean, sorry it came across that way the other night.

[spyretto]

Originally Posted by marina

Sorry , but I don’t agree with this. spyretto says , everyone says now it was ironic to go because of Stingray etc. So I decided to chime in (didn’t want at the beginning because it’s really tragic and sad times for those who knew and loved Steve Irwin)
Let’s see :
1. He wasn’t deep diving . He was snorkeling at the shallow water .Meaning ? Not too much space for any maneuvers and too close to the stingray.
2. Sting ray , it’s not a dinner plate size , you know . Those stingrays about 1 meter in diameter and weight up to 100kg . Huge things with bread knife at the end of the tail.
3. They are timid , yeah .. but on another hand they are very easy get frightened; freaky movement , shadow and they go in defensive mode and strike! Cameraman and Steve’s friend knew about this , he says he witnessed not once how stingrays go into defensive mode. It happens to him before(not that he was wounded but he witnessed such things). Best thing in such situation to stay far away. If cameraman knew about this , I’m sure as hell that Steve Irwin knew too.
4. Bad timing ... I don’t really get that point but I was reading these days a lot about the tragedy and what they say it’s something to do with season and sharks , stingrays get especially wary of the danger around such times..

And now imagine ,Steve Irwin just above that beast , 2 m... no room no space…. Like a huge shadow he follows that stingray and follows and follows and follows ..
I wasn’t surprised stingray did strike . It’s not just bad luck /freaky accident . The only thing which is really bad luck -- a wound straight into his heart … If it was arm/leg/or lower torso , they could save a brave man . Very sad.
But as I said he took unnecessary risk . Never take chances with wildlife.

As you say, stingrays bites are deadly only if they beat you in the heart...and I can't believe that stingray went with intent to kill Irwin. So the fact that he was beaten may not have been bad luck but the fact that he was actually killed by the bite was.
That was indeed what I meant by "bad luck".
Not to mention that a stingray is not a crocodolie . ie it wouldn't cut you in two.

[Mary-sheccid]

Already stop to rest in peace this poor man.

[dare2dream28]

Marina, your explanation of possible events would make sense. And yes, it is always a risk dealing with wildlife (believe me, I know from personal experience, although the only time I've ever been bitten by an animal was at a petting zoo! ha! lol ). However, I do agree with [b]spyretto[b]...if Steve was stabbed anywhere except the chest, he could've easily survived. It's extradinary bad luck that the stingray got him right in the chest.

Offtop:

Originally Posted by Rachel

I'm not trying to be mean, sorry it came across that way the other night.

Sorry I exploded the other night...I was rather emotional after a long day of dealing with it all.

[freddie]

Here's a song that would be appropriate for the croc man to say goodbye to.

On a different note... that Timothy Treadwell story is more horrific still. Partially eaten... ewww.

[marina]

Originally Posted by freddie

that Timothy Treadwell story is more horrific still

Did you watch the documentary , freddie ?
I was writing about that movie several months ago (our Movie thread)......He was nuts . Totally . And his girlfriend lost her life too.....I blame him ..