09-04-2006, 07:05 PM
[black][size 4][black][size 4]CANBERRA, Australia -- [/size][/black]
[black][size 4]Australians are in shock over word of the death of Steve Irwin. [/size][/black] [center]![[Image: gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=18330;]](http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=18330;)
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[black][size 4]Known the world over as "The Crocodile Hunter," Irwin was killed Monday by a stingray while filming an underwater documentary on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. [/size][/black][black][size 4]Irwin was 44.[/size][/black]
"He came on top of the stingray and the stingray's barb went up and into his chest and put a hole into his heart," said Irwin's friend and producer John Stainton, who was on board Irwin's boat at the time.
The playful, energetic, animal wrangler had become a national icon in Australia -- and was a hit in the U.S. and around the world, on cable's Discovery Channel.
Irwin was famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchword "Crikey!"
Australian prime Minister John Howard said he's distressed by Irwin's "sudden, untimely and freakish" death.
He said Irwin was "a passionate environmentalist" who brought "joy and entertainment and excitement to millions of people."
Howard said Australia has lost "a wonderful and colorful son."
Staiton also paid tribute to his friend in a statement.
"The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet," Stainton said in the statement. "He died doing what he loves best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. Crocs Rule!"
The 44-year-old Irwin had been honored by Australia's tourism industry for many projects associated with it, including a week-long trade promotion in California last winter called "G'Day LA 2006."
Despite his triumphs, Irwin found himself at the center of controversy from time to time.
In January 2004 Irwin stunned onlookers at the Australia Zoo reptile park by carrying his month-old son into a crocodile pen during a wildlife show -- and threw meat to the 13-foot reptile with the boy tucked under his arm.
Born Feb. 22, 1962, in Essendon, Victoria, Australia, Irwin started his "Crocodile Hunter" show in 1996. The show also starred Irwin's American-born wife, Terri.
In addition to the Discovery Channel, Irwin's crocodile hunting found its way to the big screen. Irwin starred as himself in 2002's "The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course." He also appeared in a cameo role in 2001's "Doctor Doolittle 2."
Irwin's zoo won a national export award. Among the tribute mementos piling up there is a card from children with X's and O's and the simple words, "We will miss you."
One volunteer worker said, "I don't know what the zoo will do without him."
Small satellite transmission centers are up near the highway that runs in front of the zoo as television networks broadcast news from the site.
Bouquets of flowers have piled up. One card read, "Steve, from all God's creatures thank you. Rest in peace."
Dozens of cars and trucks honked their horns in tribute as they drove down the highway.
Irwin is survived by his wife, Terri, a daughter who is 8, and a son who will turn 3 in December.
Terri Irwin, who is from Eugene, Ore., was in Tasmania with their two children when notified of her husband's death.
Stingray Deaths Rare
Marine experts in Australia said it's not easy to be injured by a stingray -- and very few people are killed by them.
Neuroscientist Shaun Collin at the University of Queensland said Irwin, probably died because the barb pierced under his ribcage and directly into his heart.
Stingrays have a serrated, toxin-loaded barb, or spine, on the top of their tail. The barb can be up to ten inches long and it flexes if a ray is frightened.
Collin said stings usually occur to people when they step on or swim too close to a ray and can be excruciatingly painful but are rarely fatal.
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[black][size 4]Australians are in shock over word of the death of Steve Irwin. [/size][/black] [center]
[black][size 4]Known the world over as "The Crocodile Hunter," Irwin was killed Monday by a stingray while filming an underwater documentary on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. [/size][/black][black][size 4]Irwin was 44.[/size][/black]
"He came on top of the stingray and the stingray's barb went up and into his chest and put a hole into his heart," said Irwin's friend and producer John Stainton, who was on board Irwin's boat at the time.
The playful, energetic, animal wrangler had become a national icon in Australia -- and was a hit in the U.S. and around the world, on cable's Discovery Channel.
Irwin was famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchword "Crikey!"
Australian prime Minister John Howard said he's distressed by Irwin's "sudden, untimely and freakish" death.
He said Irwin was "a passionate environmentalist" who brought "joy and entertainment and excitement to millions of people."
Howard said Australia has lost "a wonderful and colorful son."
Staiton also paid tribute to his friend in a statement.
"The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet," Stainton said in the statement. "He died doing what he loves best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. Crocs Rule!"
The 44-year-old Irwin had been honored by Australia's tourism industry for many projects associated with it, including a week-long trade promotion in California last winter called "G'Day LA 2006."
Despite his triumphs, Irwin found himself at the center of controversy from time to time.
In January 2004 Irwin stunned onlookers at the Australia Zoo reptile park by carrying his month-old son into a crocodile pen during a wildlife show -- and threw meat to the 13-foot reptile with the boy tucked under his arm.
Born Feb. 22, 1962, in Essendon, Victoria, Australia, Irwin started his "Crocodile Hunter" show in 1996. The show also starred Irwin's American-born wife, Terri.
In addition to the Discovery Channel, Irwin's crocodile hunting found its way to the big screen. Irwin starred as himself in 2002's "The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course." He also appeared in a cameo role in 2001's "Doctor Doolittle 2."
Irwin's zoo won a national export award. Among the tribute mementos piling up there is a card from children with X's and O's and the simple words, "We will miss you."
One volunteer worker said, "I don't know what the zoo will do without him."
Small satellite transmission centers are up near the highway that runs in front of the zoo as television networks broadcast news from the site.
Bouquets of flowers have piled up. One card read, "Steve, from all God's creatures thank you. Rest in peace."
Dozens of cars and trucks honked their horns in tribute as they drove down the highway.
Irwin is survived by his wife, Terri, a daughter who is 8, and a son who will turn 3 in December.
Terri Irwin, who is from Eugene, Ore., was in Tasmania with their two children when notified of her husband's death.
Stingray Deaths Rare
Marine experts in Australia said it's not easy to be injured by a stingray -- and very few people are killed by them.
Neuroscientist Shaun Collin at the University of Queensland said Irwin, probably died because the barb pierced under his ribcage and directly into his heart.
Stingrays have a serrated, toxin-loaded barb, or spine, on the top of their tail. The barb can be up to ten inches long and it flexes if a ray is frightened.
Collin said stings usually occur to people when they step on or swim too close to a ray and can be excruciatingly painful but are rarely fatal.
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