Is anyone aware of how unusual Steve Irwin's death was?

Question

I have lived on the sea all my life and NEVER heard of a ray killing anyone with it's stinger. The worst I have heard is stepping on one hiding in the sand and getting your foot messed up and that was very infrequent. A ray will try to escape before it attacks anyone. Steve Irwin courted his death for years, he harrassed animals, he was cruel and an attention hog. But I never, in my wildest dreams thought he would die this way. I thought a crocodile would kill him or a snake. Does anyone else think this was poetic justice?

Answer 1

It has nothing to do with justice. I never agreed with his silly stunts, but he was a fellow human and I feel bad for his family and friends. And YES, people should stop doing the things he did to animals.

Answer 2

You people are among some of the coldest, heartless human beings i've ever had the dipleasure to listen too! Steve Irwin did a lot for his country, and the planet. Regardless of what he did in the path of his career, should have NOTHING to do with his death! Has it occured to you that his children will be raised without daddy. That as young as they are, they will probably have very little, if any memory of him what so ever? You call that poetic justice? I call it heartbreaking. They will never see him, hug him, argue with him, or have the chance to have their father ever again. Death is not poetic justice. It's just permenent. I've never seen anybody so indiffrent and cruel about the death of another human being in my life. While you ponder on that, keep this in mind. Karma is a funny thing. While you spit your judgmental garbage, someone somewhere is keeping track of your words, and cruelty. I hope when the time comes, you'll understand just what your words have caused. I hope that his family is strong enough to go on, i wish them all the good luck and love I can bestow.

Answer 3

No I don't tend to think of it as poetic justice, I chalk it up as the nature of the business he's in; just like the other guy that (Jeff, I believe that's his first name, I can't remember his last name offhand at this point, his show is also on Discovery).

Any animal is going to be afraid of something that is bigger than itself, or something that's in it's territory and feels that it has to defend itself.

as for harassing an animal, I don't think he did that, he was just trying to give the viewers a better view of the creature for identification purposes, and the defense mechanisms of the species and the creatures abilities and it's benefits or detriments in the local ecology circle.

would you say the same about someone who performs antivenom research for the medicines to patients who've been bitten? how about the poisons that are used for medical research for medicines that could cure or inhibit the onset of diseases? Or how 'bout cultures that've for hundreds maybe thousands of years lived in harmony with their surroundings
using the poisons for hunting or defending their homes.

the creature did right by it's own instincts to defend itself, just as it would against a natural predator, to escape first and if necessary use it's stinger; it was just unfortunate that the stinger was close enough to pierce his heart as the news wire reported.

So while I do think it's unfortunate, and I feel for his family, he knew the risk, he was doing this since he was a child, and his parents taught him the ways of the trade. so I think terms "cruel" and "attention hog" are a harsh perspective to put on his character. but that's my opinion.

As several of the other contributers here have said; He also did a lot for the relocation of animals that presented a danger to themselves, or other people, choosing to relocate it rather than kill it for the sake of his (and the safety of the people he was working with, because he wasn't the only one risking his life, and there are other people who do this on a daily basis that don't have the recognition that he has had.) own safety or just to make for the easy removal of the creature.

he was also active in conservation and the protection of endangered species and their respective environments, so you shouldn't focus on the negative aspect of his actions.

and lastly I feel saddened for his wife Terri (who was often at his side for many of his adventures.) and his two children (respective bow of my head).

Answer 4

To answer your original question, there has only been 17 reported deaths due to a Sting Ray stings in the world. They report that the type of Ray that struck him was one of the larger species, and it possibly stuck him in the heart. This would make it highly lethal, just the stick alone. As for commenting on how he died, I feel it is a tragic event, and he did more for the animal community than what many know, or want to accept. Hopefully his works will continue to be carried on by others who have the same passion as he did.

Answer 5

Not poetic justice, it was just his time to go. Those rays are pretty treacherous and with global warming they are increasing. My husband got stung by one in his ankle on a S. Calif beach and he said it was the worst pain he ever had. That weekend alone the life guard station had 180 stings. There is adventure but danger in nature and we tempt fate whenever we go into the environment of poisonous, venomous or carnivorous or dangerous animal or sea life.

Answer 6

No, not really. This help explain how it's not so strange?:

"'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 Stainton, who was on board Irwin's boat at the time."

When you play with fire you're likely to get burned. As for Steve though, he seemed like a pretty nice guy with good intentions. I won't say whether or not I think the way he treated animals was right or wrong, but he educated people so he gets my respect.

Answer 7

Poetic justice? Hell, no.

Anything to do with HOW he died or animals completely aside, assuming that you are a decent human being, you're missing the point.

If you ever saw footage of Steve with Terri and children, it was obvious that they adored one another and were very much in love. My heart breaks for Terri and their children and yours SHOULD, too.

May you never know the pain of losing an adoring spouse in a tragic accident, anything to do with animals aside.

The REAL tragedy here is the death of a loving husband and a devastated family that will NEVER know what it is to see Daddy come home again and climb into his arms to hug him.

Answer 8

Justice??!!!
I can't even begin to tell you how disgusting I find your comments. Steve Irwin did more to raise awareness about wildlife and conservation than any other single human being in the world.
He is single-handedly responsible for having saved many, many animal's lives by relocating them, and also by changing the way people see animals.
Your mis-representation of his career's work is criminal.

Answer 9

I don't think it is funny for you to say it was "poetic justice." He really cared for the environment and animals. He was authentic, although doofy. He loved his family.

Would you like someone to bad mouth you after you die and say it is poetic justice since you bad mouthed Steve Irwin?

Answer 10

He "harrassed" animals? I think it is poor of you to consider his conservational and educational efforts harrassment. Plus, you should not speak ill of the dead, else poetic justice be done to you. His children no longer have a father and you applaud, or at least are indifferent, to his untimely demise. Some compassion would do you wonders, I'm sure.