Pilotpip

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Steve Erwin killed by a stingray while shooting a new TV special. Sad to hear, he was probably one of the main people responsible for making wildlife shows popular and I have to say that I often enjoyed watching him.

HSLD

I'd like to hear more about the circumstances of the Sting Ray "attack". Anyone who has ever dove Sting Ray City in the Caymans leaves with the belief that a Sting Ray is not much of a threat.

Sure they can inject the stinger, but it doesn't regenerate, so they use it only when needed. I was told that unless you a) step on them, or b) lift them out of the water they are pretty safe.

I've received a Sting Ray "hickey" from having one latch on to my arm (long story) but I never felt in danger. I'd hate to think that these things are killers.

Any idea what he was doing with the Ray to provoke a "stinger to the chest"?

Skygirl

Wow! Have been out of touch so this is the first I've heard about this.

I too, would be curious to know what he was doing with the Ray when he got stung. Having been "stung in the chest" close to the heart, may have something to do with his death. The venom may have been injected directly into his heart, causing an immediate anaphylactic reaction throughout his body and brain. I have dove that area of the Great Barrier Reef, off Port Douglas, and I do know that most of the world's most venomous sea life resides there. Australia also has the world's most venomous land creatures, reptiles and spiders as well.

When we dive, we are merely guest in their realm, only there to observe. We once had a pompous diver on our boat in Hawaii who kept messing with a moray eel. The captain of our boat was actually leading this dude's dive group that day and had given the dude the underwater sign for "stop, back off". The dude wasn't listening to the divemaster and the moray promptly swum out of his lair and bit the top of the dude's ear off. Moray's are harmless if you leave them alone.... Of course the guy tried to sue our dive company.

Pilotpip

I can't help but agree with HSLD's sentiment. "There was a Southpark" episode that lampooned him pretty good back in 1999 or so. I think about it every time I see him on TV now, "I'm gonna stick me finger in his butt----. That's really gonna **** the buggar off!" A lot over the top but his antics made him famous.

animals

[QUOTE=HSLD;58081] Anyone who has ever dove Sting Ray City in the Caymans leaves with the belief that a Sting Ray is not much of a threat.
QUOTE]

I love Sting Ray city... they seem like such peaceful creatures.
What a tragedy for all who knew him. I too wonder what the circumstances were that led to this accident...

CRJ-200

From Fox News:

"He came on top of the stingray and the stingray's barb went up and into his chest and put a hole into his heart," said Stainton, who was on board Irwin's boat at the time.


It's sad - I've watched his show for as long as I can remember

LAfrequentflyer

"I don't know what it is with parrots but they always bite me," Irwin once said. "A cockatoo once tried to rip the end of my nose off. I don't know what they've got against me."

N6724G

From what I read, it was a freak accident. The STingray's barb just happen to pierce his Heart which is unusual. Just a Freak accident. Tragic though.

WhiteH2O

From CNN:

"He came over the top of a stingray that was buried in the sand, and the barb came up and hit him in the chest," said Stainton.

Wildlife documentary maker Ben Cropp, citing a colleague who saw footage of the attack, told TIME that Irwin had accidentally boxed the animal in. "It stopped and twisted and threw up its tail with the spike, and it caught him in the chest," said Cropp. "It's a defensive thing. It's like being stabbed with a dirty dagger."


Looks like he didn't even know that it was there. Erwin got on top of it and the ray thought that it was being attacked, and tried to defend him self from Erwin. Had it only known. Sad loss, I have always liked watching him.

calcapt

Steve Irwin provided countless hours of quality educational entertainment to millions. My family always enjoyed his enthusiasm for life and nature. Thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and two children. He will be sorely missed but thankfully he left behind wonderful educational treasures that will be enjoyed by many future generations. Hopefully there are crocodiles in heaven!