It is very sad to think, with so many 'worthless' people in the world that one who has done so much good (and his legacy will be that same will continue, i.e., preservation of wildlife and its' habitat/s etc) is taken before his time . . . okay, not everyone loved Steve, but my daughter met him at his Australia Zoo and his enthusiasm for everything he did was truly infectious, what you saw was what you got! Her comment (and she's 9) was that he made her laugh, whilst she was fascinated with his work with not only Australian animals but endangered species from around the world.
Australia will sorely miss Steve and I doubt we'll see another like him. Sincere condolences to all his family, Terri, Bindi, Bob and his extended family, the over 500 employees he had at Australia Zoo.

Yes, his passion for the work was infectious. Even if he wasn't my favourite personality, I enjoyed the programs and appreciate his conservation work, his patriotism for Australia and his love of family.

I just hope he didn't suffer for more than a minute or two.

Public tributes
People are leaving flowers here...

My email inbox has been flooded with messages from friends overseas concerning the death of Steve Irwin. Many have links to news sites.

I must admit that, after reading the links and learning a lot more about him, that I am starting to like him a lot more.

I heard on the news this morning that the government had offered his family a state funeral if they wish.

Although not a particular fan, I too was saddened to hear of his death. There are not many of us who will die doing what we love best. He will certainly have left his mark on peoples memory.

Purportedly he died 'immediately', that's somewhat comforting to know, the Police have the film footage and the Coroner has stated that death was almost instantaneous.

As to a State Funeral, yes the family has been offered same, the Premier, Mr Beattie has said that of course it is entirely up to the family to decide if they want Steve laid to rest post a very public State Funeral . . . and like Joh Bjelke Petersen, many here (in Queensland) are saying Steve should be allowed to be buried at Australia Zoo!

Joh was buried at Australia Zoo???

I don't really understand the people who thought he would die doing all these things. There are hundreds of scientists and researchers who are constantly in this much danger, and very few of them die. Another thing that makes this death sting more, is that he was hit in the one place that would cause him to die. The venom isn't what killed him, it was the barb.

Remember Werner Herzog's "Grizzly Man", about this guy who thought he could befriend grizzly bears and wound up being killed by them? You've got to treat wildlife with respect and care; stingrays, like many other wild creatures, are potentially dangerous!

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Steve Irwin was a far cry from that crazy guy, and Grizzly Bears are a far cry from Sting Rays. Sting Rays generally cause pain in your extremities, Grizzly bears rip you apart.

Geez, nice going from Germaine Greer. News.com.au story.

Sometimes there is such a thing as bad publicity, Germaine.

LOL at the photo of her!
I can just hear the editor-- "Find the most revolting picture you can. One that matches her statements"

Nice picture of Greer--looks like she just was given a wedgie.

People like Greer will do or say anything which might get them into the news, and the 'Guardian' newspaper has a reputation for printing the biased views of extremists. Unfortunately there are people around the world who may think her idiotic views are shared by the British people, which is a great pity.
There has been an enormous amount of publicity given in Britain to Steve Irwin's death, mainly paying tribute to him. The Guardian article of Greer's represents the views of an extreme, selfish, minority and should be treated as such!

Glad for Germaine that she isn't currently Down Under, she'd be lynched . . . post menopausal, ugly as all get out . . . pull your head in Germaine, nobody but nobody seriously agrees with you, you're just a poisonous old bat!

Clearly Greer has (once again) proven that too often feminists confuse themselves with being given a badge to be insensitive, not to mention verbally insulting, hags that erases all elements of gender, class or good sense. She's not a feminist, nor a caring human being, nor respectable - hardly even driving with a map, if you ask me. God bless people like her, though. As she goes about making the so-called "feminist" movement sound cold, one-sighted and without a speck of grace, she makes room for those men and women in line who know how to make their points without sounding like brainless thugs on a militaristic hike.
Bunk to Ms. Greer. Hopefully, as the Irwins invariably hear of this pointless outburst, they will further realize the one thing that Greer hasn't and never will. Steve's lot has the one thing Germaine doesn't: a credible (plus) amount of decorum and dignity.
At least now I know who to ask if I need any or all technical information on stingrays. Miss Greer, of course. But, then, she obviously knows everything .

Well well how interesting. What an amazing manner in which to condemn someones comments, say that they`re ugly. Greer may or may not be ugly but really people commenting on her appearance because of something she is quoted as stating is reminiscent of school days long past, for me anyway. I hope those guilty are feeling properly chastened now.

I`ve been reading a number of threads in other chat forums regarding the "profiteering" attitude shown by various sellers on eBay,Oztion and other online auction houses. A number of people are selling Steve Irwin posters,autographs and sundry memorabilia.

Personally I don`t have a problem with this but I would be curious to know how others feel about it.

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What an amazing manner in which to condemn someones comments, say that they`re ugly. Greer may or may not be ugly but really people commenting on her appearance because of something she is quoted as stating is reminiscent of school days long past, for me anyway

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Well, yeah.

but

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I can just hear the editor-- "Find the most revolting picture you can. One that matches her statements"

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that was funny!


To the auctions - I read the same forums as you and personally I think it would have been a bit better to have waited a period of time although I don't know how long that should be. Within hours seemed a bit tasteless.

Had to feel sorry for the person that had put the signed poster on a couple days before Irwin died and was copping all the flack there for a while.

But Roos! While, yes, calling the woman ugly is "juvenile" and probably unnecessary she did, after all, open the door to an "all bets are off" discussion with her rather outrageous remarks at the start. And, as we all know, one peevish, small and unusually malignant comment tends to always bring out the same in those hearing it.
I heartily agree about the timing of selling Irwin merchandise, though. Once again, wouldn't it be too exemplary if none of us boneheads bought any of it ? But, ugh, somebody out there will...

Can this thread stand one more comment on Steve Irwin? If so...I was never a huge fan, but only because I don't like snakes and crocodiles. In fact, my son and husband enjoyed "The Crocodile Hunter", and I appreciated his passion for his work. He was one of those personalities that are so big and so unique and so ubiquitous that they seem liike countries unto themselves. I can hardly believe he's dead. It makes me very sad.

Never mind the merchantise, within a few hours of Steve's death I'd received my first e.mail'd cartoon of him, a fairly innocuous one involving the 1960's children's TV series 'Stingray'. No doubt there are many others circulating by now, but at least they are not meant to be serious, unlike Greer's ludicrous remarks.
I reckon being insulted by someone like Germaine Greer means you must be OK!

At first I wasn't sure who you meant, then I heard his voice on television news and realised that I have heard it before - I normally have the television turned on while I am busy at the computer. I thought the voice was that of the guy who played Mrs Mangel's son in Neighbours! Then one day I looked, and it was this man.

Nasty way to die.

Steve Irwin was very much concerned in conservation and to say that he got what he deserved is a little harsh. Imagine all of the venemous snakes, sharp-toothed crocodiles and other dangerous animals he has dealt with in the past and came away alive. He was a professional, so he knew what he was doing. Instead, he was killed by a stingray, which if it had hit him anywhere else but the heart, he would have likely survived. It was a fluke accident with a normally placid animal.

And as far as his personality, it may have seemed to be a bit much at times, but he entertained a lot of children. Just watch an episode of "Blue's Clues" or some other children's show and you will see that same enthusiasm. It takes that enthusiasm to keep children interested. It wasn't him "selling out" or "just so he could make it big", it was so he could entertain. Hey, it's either you keep your viewers interested, or they'll find someone else.