lizF

Yes, those of you who said that there have been reported deaths previously by stingrays are quite right. This morning a reported said that there has been 17 deaths worldwide.
While watching TV this morning the programme showed a segment where Steve was talking about a Galapagos Turtle which had died at the zoo and how they were going to give it a memorial so everyone could remember it's life and what it stood for. He also said then that if he went that would be what he would want. He has probably left a monument to the conservation of animals bigger than anyone else has ever done and I am sure that his children and Terry will continue his work with the passion that they have shown with Steve.

lizF

PS: The Sydney Morning Herald has a site where you can leave your condolences:

http://blogs.smh.com.au/newsblog/arc...ay/006154.html

LN

We saw Steve and his wife Terri when we were at the Australian Zoo almost two years ago. He had a wonderful zest for life and a tremendous respect for animals.

I agree Liz - he lived his life and died doing what he truly loved.

He will be missed and God bless him.

Ellen

Kiwi_acct

Big news here in New Zealand with the sad news of his passing. Sounds like a freak occurance with so few deaths from rays. The NZ Herald ran a front page obit and a three page spread on him today in the front section of the paper. Former Prime Ministers get less coverage here.

He certainly was larger than life and was much liked on this side of the Tasman for his antics with animals.

wlzmatilida

Hello All,

As everyone's commented, this is a terrible shock and so very sad.

I can't believe I was standing on my deck Thursday night with Neil and Robyn Cammack commenting how much Steve Irwin had done for tourism in Australia and now he's gone.

In fact, I didn't realize how much until I attended a trade show, followed by a personal appearance of his in L.A. There were tons of kids there and they absolutely adored him. He'd brought all sort of animals and cleverly taught the kids a conservation message without them even knowing it!

Apparently the segment he was filming wasn't even supposed to BE in the documentary - it was a "filler"; he was supposed to do something considered more dangerous and he opted for the stingray sequence, being less dangerous and thought the kids would still like it.

Just a horrible freak accident. I read this morning that they have the whole incident on film (naturally) and his manager said (he was on the shore) that the ray stuck the barb in, Steve pulled it out, and "then he was gone". Died instantly.

The article went on to say that they'd discussed the fact of him dying previously and always thought it would be in the ocean. He was much more comfortable and in control on land.

While I feel terrible for Terri and the kids, I'm also sad for his father. He was very close with both his parents; his mother passed away.

His dad's the one who instilled his love of animals at a VERY early age; he started Australia Zoo, and he's still involved with it - he's in another facility and works with helping the injured animals before they transfer to the Zoo.

Condolences to the family.

Melodie

PinotNoir

It's a terrible loss. While in Noosa two years ago, we decided to visit Steve's Australia Zoo thinking it might be a bit cheesy but what the heck. We actually found one of the best zoos we've ever seen anywhere. Hope it continues as well without him.

schlegal1

We loved his program and his passion. I remember thinking what a kind and caring heart he had when I watched as his eyes welled-up over alegless lizard that was dying after a brush fire. He held the lizard in his hand to comfort it as it died, just so it would know someone cared. What a passion. I am so sorry for Terri, Bindi, and Bob--I hope Steve has found peace and that his memory lives on in his friends and family.

AndrewDavid

This is a great loss. When we were in Tasmania we heard he was buying up large plots of wilderness on the qt for preservation. Agreta loss for his family, friends , Australia and all kids at heart

A/D

fnarf999

In these daays of hyped up reality personalities, Steve Irwin had all the personality AND he knew what he was talking about, which is unheard of. His energy and enthusiasm did more for wildlife and habitat preservation than all the boring lecturers put together. His enormous spirit will be missed not just in Australia but across the world.

wlzmatilida

I just got this in from Tourism Australia:

Melodie

////////////////////////////////////////

Dear Aussie Specialist:

It is with great sadness that we forward to you a copy of the statement we issued yesterday regarding the loss of Tourism Australia’s (TA) dear friend Steve Irwin.


In memory of Steve, TA Los Angeles has set up an email address to which you can send your messages of condolence for his family and the team at Australia Zoo.

For those of you who are attending Corroboree in Cairns, we’ll also have a book on site for you to sign. All will then be passed on to Steve’s family.

VALE STEVE IRWIN

STATEMENT FROM TOURISM AUSTRALIA'S U.S OFFICE

Australia and America has lost a great mate.

For the past few years Steve Irwin has been the Aussie Americans knew best. He was your mate.

For those of us who were lucky enough to have worked with him promoting Australia, he was our mate.

His extraordinary enthusiasm and passion for life, his unequalled devotion to the animal world, his big hearted love for his country and his efforts to get more Americans Down Under made us proud - of him, and of what he so magnificently represented.

We thank America for taking him to your hearts. By doing that you gave him the power to make his dream of a better understanding of the natural world a reality.

You will miss him, and so will we.

Steve was a great Australian and a great man.

STEVE IRWIN’S CONTRIBUTION TO AUSTRALIAN TOURISM

Tourism Australia’s Vice President The Americas, Michael Londregan, said today that Steve Irwin had made an unequalled contribution to Australia’s tourism industry.

“He was the bright, passionate face of Australia. People, particularly here in the US, saw in him what they most loved about our country, and they loved him for it,” he said.

“His Australia Zoo has become a huge attraction for Americans visiting Australia not just because of Steve’s incredible popularity, but because he and Terri had built around them a team of fantastic young Aussies who share their love of nature and desire to entertain and educate people.

“The Zoo was built on that dream and it will continue to draw people from all over the world.

“At Tourism Australia we want to make particular mention of the contribution Steve made to our G’Day LA: Australia Week promotions here in the US. For the past two years Steve has given us his time and his energy to promote Australia. No one did more.

“It’s impossible to quantify the impact Steve’s presence and support had. It’s just immeasurable.

“In 2005 he did his first live shows in the U.S for us. And this year again he wowed thousands of Americans during his appearance at UCLA. He made so many television appearances to promote the Week, he did radio, he walked the red carpet for us even though he was never that comfortable in that sort of situation. He did everything we asked and more – and always with boundless enthusiasm and energy. He drew the spotlight and as a result we were able to get our message about Australia out to millions of Americans.

“We’re all shocked and terribly saddened.”
/////////////////////////////////////

Percy

Thanks for all the beautiful memories you left us all.

Your passion for wildlife will never be matched.

You are front page news world wide which is a credit to your achievements and your universal love.

Crikey, I know you are having a G'Day
up there.

God Bless
Percy

orangetravelcat

My eyes are full of tears as I read this. I can't believe the sense of loss I feel for a man I didn't know. Such a tragedy.

Marko

and now Peter Brock is gone...a bad week for Aussie Icons !

Geordie

What a week, if I was Greg Norman I'd be having a quiet few days

Geordie

poyopoyo91

I was just in Australia a couple weeks ago and I went to his zoo. How I wish he could have been there. It is very unfortunate and all the crocodiles are probably crying.

angethereader

So sad.
My sister went swimming with sting rays when she was in the Caymans. They must consider it pretty safe. She said she pet and held one.
It had to have been a freak accident.
I do NOT belive in blaming the victim.

I watched much of the Animal and Discovery channels this weekend. The documentary they did in 2004 after the Baby Bob incident was very touching. I teared up when Bindy was on. She is surely daddy's girl. So little to lose her daddy.