SYDNEY (Reuters) - Fatally injured by a stingray, Australian "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin pulled its serrated barb out of his chest before losing consciousness and dying, the world-famous naturalist's manager said on Tuesday.
Video footage of the attack shows Irwin swimming above the stingray on the Great Barrier Reef on Monday when it lashed out and speared him in the heart with its barbed tail,
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manager John Stainton told reporters.
"It shows that Steve came over the top of the ray and the tail came up, and spiked him here (in the chest)," Stainton said after watching the footage.
"He pulled it out and the next minute he's gone. The cameraman had to shut down," he said.
"It's a very hard thing to watch because you're actually witnessing somebody die ... it's terrible."
Irwin, 44, the quirky naturalist who won worldwide acclaim as TV's khaki-clad "Crocodile Hunter", was filming a new documentary off Australia's northeastern coast when he was attacked.
Marine experts say stingrays can deliver horrific, agonising injuries from the toxin-laden barbs, which can measure up to 20 cm (8 in) in length and cause injuries like a knife or bayonet.
"The strongly serrated barb is capable of tearing and rendering flesh," said Dr Bryan Fry, deputy director of the Australian Venom Research Unit.
"It's not the going in that causes the damage, it's the coming out where those deep serrations kind of pull on the flesh, and you end up with a very jagged tear which is quite a pronounced injury," Fry said.
News of Irwin's death shocked Australians and Irwin's millions of fans around the world. Prime Minister John Howard interrupted parliament on Tuesday to pay tribute.
"He was a genuine, one-off, remarkable Australian individual and I am distressed at his death," Howard told parliament.
"We mourn his loss, we're devastated by the tragic circumstances in which he has been taken from us and we send our love and prayers to his grieving family," he said.
"CRIKEY"
Environmental documentary maker Ben Cropp said video of the attack showed Irwin swimming alongside a bull stingray, probably weighing around 100 kg (220 lb). His cameraman was filming in front of the ray, which became frightened and lashed out.
Stingrays are usually placid and only attack in self-defence.
Stainton said the cameraman only became aware of the attack when he noticed Irwin bleeding.
Millions had seen Irwin flirt with death many times as he stalked and played with crocodiles, sharks, snakes and spiders. Stainton said he was struggling to come to terms with the fact that a stingray had killed his friend.
"There's been a million occasions where both of us held our breath and thought we were lucky to get out of that one," Stainton said. "But he just seemed to have a charmed life."
Police said they had examined the footage and would prepare a report for the coroner appointed to determine the cause of death.
Film star Russell Crowe called Irwin the "ultimate wildlife warrior", adding: "He was the Australian we all aspire to be. He touched my heart. I believed in him. I'll miss him".
Known for his catchphrase "Crikey" during close encounters with animals, Irwin made almost 50 documentaries which appeared on the cable TV channel Animal Planet.
U.S.-based television company Discovery Communications, which produces Animal Planet, said it would set up a conservation fund in honour of Irwin, dubbed in one tribute a "modern-day Noah", and planned a marathon showing of his programmes.
Discovery said the footage of Irwin's fatal dive might never be broadcast.
Australian newspapers paid tribute to Irwin on Tuesday, while fans including American tourists laid wreaths outside his Australia Zoo in tropical Queensland state.
"We thought he was Superman, that he was indestructible," said an editorial in Sydney's The Daily Telegraph.
"We were wrong"
(Additional reporting by Paul Tait in SYDNEY
2006-09-04 19:00:18 · 20 answers · asked by Jovigirl05 3 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
It was in my lonely assignments in Melbourne, Australia that I got introduced to this crazy, enthusiastic, and funny wildlife conservationist they aptly called "the Crocodile Hunter". He was named so because of his love and dedication to crocs; but he was not only for the crocs, he was for everyhing under the wild life sun: Wombats, Snakes, Spiders, and lots more. Steve Irwin was his name.
The first time I watched his show was not really by choice, but I kinda liked this man's charisma, and dedication. I was not only captured by his crazy antics on his show, but how he was so much involve in his work. This was a man, who not only worked for conservation of different species of wildlife; but he actually lived it. It was like, he was in the conservation mode 24/7. And not only him, but his entire family. From his wife Terri, who is already known for her work in the US; but even Bindi, who performs at Australia Zoo.
Steve Irwin has indeed inspired a new generation of conservationist; and I'm not even talking about the croc and snake wranglers you see on TV. He has inspired children and adults alike to be kinder and more aware of wildlife. He made a lot of us realize that we shouldn't fear snakes or crocs; but we should understand them. Yes, his rise to fame has also inspired a new breed of professional conservationist; and a lot of them even try to immitate "the Crocodile Hunter" himself.
I was shocked yesterday evening when I saw the news about his death. I felt so sad, and couldn't really believe the news. How ironic it is that he was killed by a creature that he dedicatedly try to protect.
I feel the lost of his wife and kids. For a husband and great father. I feel the lost of Australia. For an Aussie, who embodies a true spirit of wildlife conservation and has shown that Australia is leading the way. I feel for the lost of the world. For a great visionary, longing to protect all forms of life on this earth.
For me Steve Irwin is a modern day hero to wildlife conservation. It is a great lost, and I'm sure that he will dearly be remembered.
2006-09-04 19:33:32 · answer #1 · answered by Jayver Lance 1 · 23⤊ 0⤋
I was shocked to hear of Steve Irwin's death. I enjoyed his show and loved his enthusiasm and love for nature and all wildlife! While his death is sad for all of us fans and especially for his children, wife and friends it is comforting to know that he died while doing what he loved doing most, interacting with nature.
While it was a freak accident it would have been a lot more of a freak accident for Mr.Irwin had he died instead at the hands of a drunk driver or a terminal illness.
Mr. Irwin went down with the ship and I'm sure if he had his choice of how he was to die I can just here him now "Crikey, if I can't go in my sleep take me out in nature and may the best beauty win."
I'm know he would have preferred to have put off the inevitable for another 40 years, or at least long enough to have been able to watch his children grow, but that wasn't to be.
Steve Irwin gave pleasure to many a TV viewer and helped numerous animals in so many ways. For that I will always be thankful to the man known at The Crocodile Hunter. May his goal of aiding animal welfare be realized.
May he rest in peace.
2006-09-04 19:30:41 · answer #2 · answered by Chaddy 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Steve Irwin was one in a million....perhaps more. He was an avid conservationist who brought the plight of many species to the fore front. He loved animals and teaching people about them.
He was a doting father, a loving husband and had a zest for life most people can't even dream about.
May his spirit live on forever, he will be sadly missed. I can only hope his family and friends continue his crusade and don't let his corner of the world become quiet.
I admired him for all he was and all he wanted.
2006-09-04 19:24:41 · answer #3 · answered by doolittle 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
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2016-04-13 02:32:11 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Steve is definitely a hero!He devoted his life to animals and it is sad but not unexpected that it was an animal that ended his life.I hope his wife will have the energy to continue Steve's brilliant work.He will be missed!
2006-09-04 19:49:49 · answer #5 · answered by Danni S 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i think it's really sad. he was a great conservationist. no matter how much they may belittle his dangerous actions or criticize his profession, i really believe he truly loved animals (as his enthusiasm portrayed), and he had nothing but good intentions for all animals [when handling them as well].
RIP Steve Irwin!
:(
2006-09-04 19:09:07 · answer #6 · answered by WiseWisher 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Many will be in shock for a long time. This is one of those things no one saw coming and wish it didn't. He accomplised so much in his 44 years. I feel bad for his family. He will be missed! Still can't believe it happened. Doesn't seem real.
2006-09-04 23:29:17 · answer #7 · answered by Kajunfriend2006 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was sadden to hear of his sudden death. Steve was aware of the many dangers of handling wildlife. He should also have been aware that you don't swim over a stingray. I feel for the children who no longer have their Dad.
2006-09-04 19:19:21 · answer #8 · answered by no nickname 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Steve Irwin was a great Australian icon and died doing what he loved doing. R.I.P Steve!!!!!!!WE WILL MISS YOU STEVE!!!!!!YOU INSPIRED LOTS OF AUSTRALIANS TO DO WHAT U HAVE DONE UP UNTIL THE 4TH SEPTEMBER 2006!!!!!!!!
2006-09-04 21:55:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
the guy is a legend all those crocodiles he has fought with for a measly stingray to come along and whip his life away laterally long live his memory what a guy.
2006-09-04 20:14:41 · answer #10 · answered by bty43218 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋