Reports: Stingray kills 'Crocodile Hunter'

[Miss Vicky]

Originally Posted by Kelly

Eh, he took some risks. However, alot of his show was choregraphed and he had a huge staff that helped him, etc.

You can't coreograph what wild animals are going to do.

The only thing that surprised me about his death was that it was caused by a stingray. I would've thought for sure that his demise would have been the result of a venomous snake (which he had the habit of grabbing with his bare hands and I've seen him get bit by snakes on his show on many occasions) or by a crocodile (I've seen him get bit by these as well).

Also, in the beginning, when the show was just 'The Crocodile Hunter' most of the program was shot out in the Australian bush, not at his zoo. The focus only switched to the zoo when it became 'Crocodile Hunter Diaries' but even then he still shot a lot of programming out in the animals' native habitat. He also seemed to travel more in the later episodes and began filming in places like Africa and South America.

[Enchanted_Stevi]

I went on www.animalplanet.com and went to the Steve Irwin story. There is going to be a tribute on Animal Planet at 6pm EST.

[Kelly]

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

You can't coreograph what wild animals are going to do.

The only thing that surprised me about his death was that it was caused by a stingray. I would've thought for sure that his demise would have been the result of a venomous snake (which he had the habit of grabbing with his bare hands and I've seen him get bit by snakes on his show on many occasions) or by a crocodile (I've seen him get bit by these as well).

Also, in the beginning, when the show was just 'The Crocodile Hunter' most of the program was shot out in the Australian bush, not at his zoo. The focus only switched to the zoo when it became 'Crocodile Hunter Diaries' but even then he still shot a lot of programming out in the animals' native habitat. He also seemed to travel more in the later episodes and began filming in places like Africa and South America.

Of course you cannot cooreograph what a wild animal will do but you can cooreograph what HE was going to do and utilize all safety precautions possible. He did that. His crock shows were pretty similar everyday, he had six or seven people around the enclosure and I believe he was well trained and knew what he was doing. He took as many precautions as possible in his line of work. He was educated and had years of experience but of course, these things happen. Look how many lion/tiger trainers end up getting mauled by cats they have handled since birth. He definately took risks, I am not saying that he didn't...especially when he was out in the bush or Africa etc. I saw him get bit by a snake too...although he never struck me as quite as crazy with the snakes as that other blonde, Aussie guy on Animal Planet. That guy is a photographer, I think, and he is just nuts.
I am also surprised he was killed in such a freakish way, considering some of the other animals he worked with. Animals like sharks, crocks etc. When they said he got killed by a stingray on the news, I was like "whaaaaaa?". I feel so bad for his wife and children and I really hope they continue his legacy. No matter what you thought of him, his work with education, research, conservation, relocation, etc will be sorely missed.

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by Kelly

Of course you cannot cooreograph what a wild animal will do but you can cooreograph what HE was going to do and utilize all safety precautions possible. He did that. His crock shows were pretty similar everyday, he had six or seven people around the enclosure and I believe he was well trained and knew what he was doing. He took as many precautions as possible in his line of work. He was educated and had years of experience but of course, these things happen. Look how many lion/tiger trainers end up getting mauled by cats they have handled since birth. He definately took risks, I am not saying that he didn't...especially when he was out in the bush or Africa etc. I saw him get bit by a snake too...although he never struck me as quite as crazy with the snakes as that other blonde, Aussie guy on Animal Planet. That guy is a photographer, I think, and he is just nuts.
I am also surprised he was killed in such a freakish way, considering some of the other animals he worked with. Animals like sharks, crocks etc. When they said he got killed by a stingray on the news, I was like "whaaaaaa?". I feel so bad for his wife and children and I really hope they continue his legacy. No matter what you thought of him, his work with education, research, conservation, relocation, etc will be sorely missed.

In another article, Steve and one of his crew discussed the new dangers that being in the water posed. Steve was in his element on land, but in the water he was vulnerable, and its said that he speculated that if his time came, it would be in a water accident. Apparently there is footage of Steve pulling the barb out of his chest, losing consciousness and then dying. Pretty sad really.

I cant imagine anyone really thinking badly of the man Kelly can you?

[Miss Vicky]

Originally Posted by Kelly

No matter what you thought of him, his work with education, research, conservation, relocation, etc will be sorely missed.

Not sure what the heck this is supposed to mean, since I already said what I "thought of him" - I said I was saddened and I described him as "dedicated and passionate."

Thems fightin' words, I guess.

[JazmenFlowers]

I sure hate that this has happened. He seemed like such a great person and a lover of animals. the relationship he had with his wife seemed to be very special as well. I heard, too, that being killed by a stingray is very, very rare. it just happened, as they said, to be bad luck that he was pierced in his chest. I've heard that he died instantly and then I heard that he was able to pull the barb out before he died. not sure which is true. sad sad sad. he has certainly been a staple in homes and will be missed.

[Kelly]

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

Not sure what the heck this is supposed to mean, since I already said what I "thought of him" - I said I was saddened and I described him as "dedicated and passionate."

Thems fightin' words, I guess.

WTF? What are you talking about? There are plenty of people who did not like his style, had a problem with what he did with his son, etc. Its not about you... Whatever those people thought of him, the good he did will be missed...period.

[Miss Vicky]

Originally Posted by Kelly

WTF? What are you talking about? There are plenty of people who did not like his style, had a problem with what he did with his son, etc. Its not about you... Whatever those people thought of him, the good he did will be missed...period.

But you didn't say "Whatever those people thought of him" you said "whatever you thought of him" and did so in a reply to my post. I took that as an implication that I thought badly of him. If you had meant "you" in the broader sense, you might have chosen better wording. Misunderstandings are all too easy on messageboards.

[GODDESS6]

i just watched the televised memorial for steve irwin~ omgoodness was it heartbreaking~ they had alot of the animals there & his truck which took 1 final trip~ the saddest part tho was when his little bindi so eloquently spoke of him being her daddy & how shw wanted to carry on his wrk, but most of all he was fun~ man did i bawl~ some guy read a poem about being friends w/ steve & his 6 yr old telling him of the croc hunter's passing & the guy, i forget his name, said his daughter explained it best, that the croc's were now crying~ very gut wrenching, but inspiring about the wrk he has done~

[Grainuaile]

Originally Posted by GODDESS6

some guy read a poem about being friends w/ steve & his 6 yr old telling him of the croc hunter's passing & the guy, i forget his name, said his daughter explained it best, that the croc's were now crying~ very gut wrenching, but inspiring about the wrk he has done~

It was David Wenham, an Australian actor. He didn't write the poem though, just read it.

I watched too, and bawled like a baby. I hope that Bindi will grow up and take over her dad's work. It was a very sweet speech she gave.