Steve Irwin, natural selection at work

[HardDrive]

Idiot got killed by a sting ray.

Wow.

Didn't see that one coming.


EDIT: I am not poking fun at the pain of Steve Irwins family, or his fans. I appologize if some found this post offensive.

[Don Plumley]

Crikey!

Insofar as he has produced offspring, too late for natural selection to be affected - unless it prevents his son from taking up the trade.

However, leaving a young son behind makes this a real shame in my book. Seemed like an interesting enough guy. RIP.

[Don Plumley]

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Steve Irwin, the Australian TV presenter known as the "Crocodile Hunter," has died after being stung in a marine accident off Australia's north coast.

Australian media reports say Irwin was diving in waters off Port Douglas, north of Cairns, when the incident happened on Monday morning.

Irwin was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest, according to Cairns police sources. Irwin was filming an underwater documentary at the time.

Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality Monday morning off Port Douglas, according to Australian media.

Irwin, 44, was director of the Australian Zoo in Queensland.

He and his American-born wife Terri Irwin became popular figures on Australian and international television through Irwin's close handling of wildlife, most notably the capture of live crocodiles.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

ditto on natural selection.

[widebody911]

Crikey!

[legion]

Considering some of the crazy s*** I've seen him do before (and live), I'd always assumed he sold his sole to the devil for immortality.

[450knotOffice]

C'mon guys. This is a person's death we're talking about here. Have some respect for the guy and his family.

He seemed like a pretty likable fellow. Tragic.

His wife apparently is hiking in Tasmania and has yet to be told. I feel sorry for her.

[Fishcop]

Keep dipping, you're bound to win a prize

I am sad though, he really was into his wildlife and his zoo is well worth seeing.

Here's the detail... http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20349534-952,00.html

[lisa_spyder]

Mmmm HardDrive...

Such understanding is soooooo touching.

Steve Irwin's wife Terri has now been informed of his passing.

I for one enjoyed his "antics" and admired his achievements; not everyone has to fit in "the normal human mould".

He made great contributions - the Australia Zoo is a fantastic facility and a credit to him, his wife and his team.

My children will be devastated...I could think of many worse idols for my kids to have.

[HardDrive]

Originally posted by lisa_spyder
Mmmm HardDrive...

Such understanding is soooooo touching.

I have a 2 year old myself. I would never make light of the pain his family is enduring. It is a tragedy.

However, I feel Steve Irwin was reckless. There is a difference between showmanship, and being arrogant. Regardless of the details of what happend, what ultimately caused his familys grief what his ego.

I think him feeding crocs while holding his one year old child is ample evidence of what I am saying.

[Fishcop]

I genuinely don't think the guy had an ego, but rather a genuine enthusiasm for misunderstood animals. However he definitely did demonstrate some recklessness with some of these animals.

I've got to say though, getting speared in the heart with a stingray spike is truly freakish as anyone who's swam with these fish would appreciate (they're one of my favourite animals to dive with).

RIP Steve.

[lisa_spyder]

HardDrive I can't agree with you...

It's about time we cease judging people by our own limitations...I wouldn't go within a bulls roar of a croc; but this man had years and years of experience.

I doubt his ego had much to do with being barbed near the heart by a stingray.

He was a great ambassador and a wonderful 'real' conservationist - maybe a little too colourful for some...but he certainly knew his stuff and fought for what he thought was right with great conviction.

He was a '110%er'...he gave everything his all and probably crammed more into his 44 years than most could dream of.

He was unique - maybe that is the problem?

[sammyg2]

At the risk of being insensitive or harsh, I can't help but be reminded of the grizzly bear guy who was eaten by the animals he loved so much.
Maybe there is a reason we admire wild animals from afar.

Having said that, he and his family will be in my prayers tonight.

[450knotOffice]

I guess we should all give up our sports cars now so we don't come across as hypocritical considering they are seen by many as dangerous.

[nostatic]

at least he died doing something he believed in and something he loved.

that's more than most people can say.

[HardDrive]

Originally posted by nostatic
at least he died doing something he believed in and something he loved.

that's more than most people can say.

True.

[livi]

Tragic of course. Us humans would probably mostly recognize him as a vivid ambassador for the wild life.

The wild life itself may, or may not, have valued him as such and finally decided to have Nature strike back.

[dd74]

No doubt Steve Irwin was an ambassador for an interest in animals. But I can't get around the fact that what he was doing was purely sensational as none of it was based in reality. What is anyone supposed to learn by getting so perilously close to any wild animal, when in fact, they don't need to do so?

Ironically, I'm reading "Life of Pi," which, if you don't know the story, is a novel about a castaway on board a lifeboat with a bengal tiger, a hyena, an oranguatan and zebra. The novel hinges on the importance of territory, mutual respect and instinct between animals in an unknown world. Relating this to Irwin, there were times when I believed he showed neither knowledge of territory or respect for some of the animals he used in his television program. If in the least, Irwin seemed alarmingly cavalier about the fight-or-flight instinct possessed by many of these animals.

[john70t]

But would anyone have watched the show if he didn't take those risks?

RIP steve and thanks for your efforts.

[David]

Many people think we're crazy for running at triple digit speeds around a race track. It's our passion just like animals were his. It's a shame he died at such an early age, but I think he's much happier dying this way rather than in a car crash like his mother.