Early this morning world famous conservationist, and director of the Australian Zoo in Queensland, Steve "the Crocodile Hunter" Irwin, died after suffering a stingray barb to the chest. Victoria Brims, a marine expert from Oceanworld Sydney, positted that the stingray was most likely startled and acted to protect itself. Steve is survived by his wife, Terri, and two children Bindi Sue and Robert.Source: CNN.Com [ more info ]

When I first heard of the Crocodile Hunter and saw some of his antics, I dismissed Steve Irwin as a nut job. But after having actually watched his show, I realized that he was a person absolutely committed to the precepts of conservation. His enthusiasm and passion were infectious, made tangible by his charisma, and spilling through the screen. His passion was undeniable. But, what stood out, in my mind, as an underlying current to every action and adventure was his desire to educate in the hopes that education would engender the respect and concern required to make conservationists out of each person watching his show.

He's left a legacy and a very large pair of shoes for someone to try to fill.

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I struggled with the idea of doing this tribute and I wasn't exactly sure why until it came time to apply the text to the comic. I just didn't have the right words to pay what I felt was a proper tribute. In my mind he's done too much for conservation to be summed up in a sentence or two. As it was I spent hours trying to find something that would be fitting without seeming trite. I dug through passages on conservation, passion, entusiam. But, in the end I decided to use his own words. I hope it convey the proper amount of appreciation for his work.

Much respect and all my best wishes go out to his family.

I just saw the news when I got up this morning, it was sort of a shock and not.

I mean if it was a friend of mine who was known for doing crazy things with crocodiles and he had been killed then you would have seen it coming, BUT because he's on TV you don't really expect things to go wrong.

/cry

When I got home last night my wife told me the news, which was quite saddening, and knowing how he has been declared dead before, only to be a hoax, gave me hope this was such...

Unfortunately, it isn't...

Never knew the man, or met him, but I can tell you, not only is he a pop culture icon, and was able to poke fun at himself, but he was a father, and husband, and to find out it's fathers day in Aussie country only adds to the sorrow...

I wish his family only the best with their future...

-Me

Wow, I remember watching his show years ago and just being amazed at his enthusiasm. I'm really going to miss him and his antics.

Best wishes to his family.

A sad loss. The guy was a great entertainer.

I'm just amazed that a Stingray of all creatures caused the fatal injury. They're just incredibly docile.

Steve Irwin came across as a nutter but he was just passionate and enthusiastic about all the amazing animal species that occupy this planet. His enthusiasm was a blessing as it passed those feelings on to all who saw his TV shows.

He was doing great things for animal conservation and will be missed. There's such a small handful of people that care enough about wildlife to make sure it stays on this planet.

When first I saw Steve I didnt like him, too exaggerated and too jumped-up on something I felt.

But after watching some shows with the tv just running Animal Planet I started to notice that even though he was waaaay to excited and exaggerated he had 2 redeeming qualitee's

He truly CARED for wildlife, not in a "I care so fans will love me" way but truly cared and second, he tried to make things better for the wildlife by his program, not making money or being famous, he never ever showed any anger towards the wildlife no matter what and if it had not killed him or if he could speak from beyond he would hold no grudge against the stingray either.

For all his faults he was a great man for anyone who like wildlife.

R.I.P Steve Erwin

It's nice to see sentiment like this from the international community. A lot of Australians tended to dislike his fame since he showed a stereotype that many didn't appreciate, and were concerned it would reflect poorly on Australia. However since this news was announced earlier today, there's been a massive amount of interest and compassion shown, which is great, I think.

Personally, I never really paid much attention to him, but understood all he did for animal conservation, awareness and general education; his antics were particularly popular with kids. All in all, a bloody legend.

There's a large amount of people here who believe he should get a state funeral, even. RIP, Steve!

The world has lost a great conservationist today, one who cared about and loved the creepy crawlies, the scaly beasts, the poisonous snakes, all the creatures that most people would not find lovable in the least. He saw the beauty in all these animals and his passion for them and for the natural world we live in was unbounded.

Steve, you'll be sorely missed.

I am truly upset about the loss of Steve.