'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin was fatally wounded today whilst filming a sequence on Batt Reef, off Port Douglas for a new tv series. He was stung in the heart by a stingray barb. Emergency services responded quickly and performed CPR for 30 minutes during the dash to hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at approximately 12noon Australian time.
I am sure there will be many of you, like myself, who will feel quite shaken by this very sad news, Steve Irwin changed a lot of perspectives about crocodiles and reptiles in general. It was certainly through watching The Crocodile Hunter back in 1992 that gave me a new mini-interest in crocs and alligators, which still exists today. I will remember watching Steve's antics with fondness and awe and my thoughts and best wishes go out to his wife Terri, parents Lyn and Bob, and children Bindi and Robert.
The official website,
The Crocodile Hunter has a media statement, but as yet, no message board for fans to leave their thoughts and wishes. If you wish to post a few words here, please do and I will try and pass them on when the opportunity arises.
His producer and closest friend, John Stainton said on Croc One today,
“The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest Dads on the planet. He died doing what he loves best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. Crocs Rule!”