My wife just called for me from the front of the house, "Steve Irwin's dead!"
“No,” I said, “that's been around before, another 'myth' to gather attention.” I wondered what kind of moron starts these things and to what purpose.
"I don't think so," she replied, "it was just on Good Morning America." Another unreliable news source I rarely watch. I did what we all do when we want to verify information — I went to online news.
I always thought Steve Irwin was a bit over the top, but I got it. He got kids interested in the world of animals, made them care about conservation, and taught them why it was so important to protect even the smallest and ugliest of the world's creatures. I also was aware of the risks he took. I felt that at any moment this guy could become history but, no, I'm sure that every precaution was in place to prevent that from happening. Again, I was wrong.
Reading the news describing his encounter with a stingray, an animal which I was always taught was docile unless you actually stepped on one, left me thinking, sadly, that of all the times he handled the deadliest snakes and spiders, made contact with the most dangerous and ferocious of beasts, his life was finalized by an animal which is known for its ferocious appearance but rarely for being dangerous.
I tried to find some lesson here, but there was none that wasn't so cliché it was worth mentioning. So I'm feeling sad for a man I never met and his wife and two kids and what the world has lost, not only an entertainer but also a teacher to all of us. Even if you couldn't stand his staccato bursts of speech or his overly enthusiastic delivery, I think we all learned something about the creatures of the world that we hadn't known before.
Later, Steve!
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - diana hartman
I am pleased to tell you this article is being featured in the Culture Focus today, September 4th.
Diana Hartman
Culture Editor
2 - Joan Hunt
Peter, you absolutely DID "get it" - with Steve, he was all about educating people and he was one of those people who elicited excitement wherever he went.
My son has been begging me to take him to Australia for years so he could meet his "future father-in-law" and will be devastated by the news.
Don't forget all you learned from him and don't forget to keep sharing that knowledge!
3 - robert peterson
Steve was a man that had the chance to be one of the best teachers the world has ever known.His life gave him the chance to touch millions, he will be missed. See ya when we get there Steve, and may youre teachings continue even in youre death!
4 - Carmen
Steve Irwin was a great person. I watched his shows all the time, and truly admired the kind of person he was. He was willing to put his life on the line to teach others the gentlenss of many dangerous creatures. My father died July 18, 2006 at the age of 45, and the thought of these men dying so young is heart breaking. My mom told me this morning the news about Steve, and I started crying. He will truly be missed. Rest in peace buddy,
Carmen
5 - Christopher Ha
It is 11:00 am. My cousin called me nd told me that Steve was dead. At first i didn't believe her but when i got on the internet I found out it was true. I was devastated. He was one of my heros that I looked up to. I watched all of his shows and, I just thought he as the best.I know that he'll be one of the greatest figures in history.R.I.P Steve, may you be remembered for ever more.
6 - Peter J
The first time I watched his show many years ago I thought, man, what is this guy?
I continued to watch his show and he never ceased to amaze me. Watching him dealing so lovingly with creatures who could have done him in "Bammo" as comfortably as I would handle a puppy he demonstrated his absolute love of the world and every creature, no matter how large or small, how cute and cuddly or how large and grotesque. He passed those qualities on, not only to myself but to many people who, if not for Steve, would have never even been introduced to the existance of many odd and obscure.
He had a couple of controversial moments in his latter years, one involving his child being held in one arm while feeding a chicken to a large crock with the other. This looked a lot more dangerous for the child than it was when in all actwhileuality it was he who placed himself in great danger as he would not have hesitate to hand off the baby and place himself in harms way. I have no doubt that Steve's intentions were to beginning to acclimate his child to his way of life and the only way to do that was to expose her to his world.
The other story pertained to his comming too close to penguins and seals while filming in Alaska. Again, the laws in place are meant for people who would threaten the animals welfare and habitat, things which Steve stood up for every day of his much too short life.
This world, while the actual balance of our ecology is possibly hanging precariously on the edge, where even the tiniest of organisms belie their un-importance, needs another Croc Hunter, someone who could educate us on the importance of the balance of even the tiniest of organisms. Unfortunately for us, their is no other Steve Irwin and we can only hope for someone who can fill his shoes.
For his wife Terri and his children, my heart aches for you, the whole world shares your grief and recognizes the loss of one of the most important teachers of Nature in the 20th-21st century.
7 - Dushka
For me, the saddest part of Steve Irwin's death is that he won't only be missed by millions of fans, myself included, but he was a son, a father and a husband who will be missed greatly. My deepest condolences to Steve's family, to his loved ones, his children and his wife. May God keep you in this time of sorrow. I suppose his death is a relfection of his life, he was in the deep blue, amongst wildlife and nature's finest. I think we all can find meaning and purpose not only in his life, but in his death as well.
8 - Lovvy
Steve Irwin was truly a remarkable man. The world is at a tremendous loss after his demise for he was a man who did more for life than possibly any other man ever did.
What an irony his death was, he stared death in the eyes with fearless audacity while in the company of deadly snakes and ferocious crocodiles, and he lost his life because of a small sting ray. Worldwide, there are just about 30 records of deaths caused by sting rays. What an irony!
I close my eyes and pray to god to bless his soul, for he really was unparalleled. I pay my tributes in honor of one of the greatest men of all time. May god bless his soul and give strength to his wife and kids to be able to pull through this difficult time.
You are immortal Steve, for your memories will be etched in a special place in our heart for eternal recollection.
I salute you Steve! You were a good man!
9 - stephanie
i wanted to say that steve is the greatest no matter what i watched his shows a like to learn from him he always love animals and like working with them as steve would always say crocs rule and i will remember that all the time
10 - george
What a tragedy this guy went toe to toe with some of the deadliest animals on our planet and has been killed by a very rare accident but personaly i think the saddest part is i always thought of steve as somone who gave the planet that little bit of hope that we all would still respect this place and turn things around for the future....this man has inspired millions including myself
see ya soon steve
11 - Heather
We were stunned to hear about this. Steve donated so much of his time to help animals and to entertain. We will miss him dearly.
12 - olinka and nicolle
We will miss you steve....
13 - Mark
I was stunned to hear of the tragic death of someone whom i felt i new as a friend.Although i never had the opertunity to meet the great man.My thoughts are with his close family and friends.On behalf of everyone in scotland,rest in peace and may god be with you always.You changed my hole output on wildlife as a whole and i will always be gratefull for that.We will miss you dearly.Crocs rule see you soon.
14 - Alessa Galliespi
I was sad to hear about his sudden death this morning. It´s a big lost not just for the human wolrd but to the animal world too. New generations would never now what the wolrd has lost.
15 - tera
I was shocked to hear of the great loss the world recieved today when I heard of the loss of the croc hunter Steve Irwin he taught so many and will be remembered by all od those whos lives he touched and taught when we turned on our tv's.My deepest sympathy to his loved ones god bless you.And thank you Steve for all the education of those so many of us overlook
16 - Sally V.
To his father, who inspired such entusiasm and love of nature to his son. Thelove of his mother who was so often refered to in such a loving way and cheery smile.. Mum.. To Terry, who joined his side in so many exciting adventures and nurtured his scraps and bitten nose.. and Bindi and little Bob.. I hope will carry on his enthusiasm and his love of the wild kingdom.. Our hearts go out to all of Steve's family, his friends and co-workers.. His menagerie of croc's, wallabyes, and all of his animal children. He made our place a much much better place to be. All our love and greatest depths of condolences.
17 - jimmieclay
i herd everything about his death and i still am in shok why did he have to die???
i dont understand why
18 - jimmieclay
i will miss him i herd he did show for the audience at his zoo
and i always wanted to go to austrailia
then i sed 1 day i will go there and see that tourist show.....
but now hes dead and
i dont no why he had to leav the earth especialy when he has 2 kids and a wife
steve irwin may your soul rest in peace
19 - maria
I write to you just 1 hour south of Australia Zoo from Brisbane. It is the day after Steve's tragic death here in Australia and we are all in mourning. I have been to the Zoo but I never met Steve. He was a genuine bloke and the person you all saw on the screen was not acting...that is just how some of us Aussies really are! Condolances to his family. R.I.P. Steve. Crikey Mate!
20 - Paula Williamson
This coment is for Terri Irwin if she should happen to read these. I know from personal experience how devastated you feel right now. My 4 year old son was ran over by my babysitter 10 years ago. I just thought that this may help in the long run. The heartache never goes away or gets better, you just gradually learn to deal with it better. Good luck to you and your family and his memory will live on forever.
21 - stevie
Steve was a legend. He will be dearly missed but remembered for eternity. Deepest sympathy for his family. He was one of the best things that the world could have but was snatched away so soon. I hope people will follow in his footsteps, he was a great man. He died doing what he loved and may he rest in peace.
22 - anna
This is for Terri also.
I am from Memphis, Tennessee, and even though you are on the other side of the planet, I just want you to know that I was a huge fan of your husband and I am very, very sorry about what happened. I am really sad and I have been crying all day. I am so sorry about what happened, but all I can think of is that God had sent him for a mission- to communicate animals, save animals lives, and teach others how to do this. He has deffinately done finished this job beautufully, and so God decided that it was his time to go. He has had a great life, doing what he loved most, being with animals. Once again I am very sorry about this tragic event. I wish the best of luck to you, Bob, and Bendi.
23 - Kelly
We love to watch the Crocodile Hunter and will continue to watch in rememberance! Terri our hearts go out to you, Bindi and Bob, please continue Steves work and let your children grow up the way you and Steve planned. Have comfort knowing Steve is with his Mom, and Bob(dad) I can't imagine your grief may you have the same comfort knowing Mother and Son are together again! God bless the Irwin family and friends we feel like we know all of you personally! We love you and when my family makes it to Australia we will visit Australia Zoo as planned! You're in our hearts and prayers!!!!!!
24 - Joyce Setzer
I am still stupified..I can't believe that this great man is gone. My condolences to his family. My heart goes out to you.
25 - Valeria
when i was a kid i always wanted to be like steve irwin a crocodile hunter, i went to a lake once and tried to get this huge croc here in miami, FL, like two years ago when i was 16 years old, i went a little closer but then the croc got angry and almost got me because somebody threw a rock at him,then i decided not to do it because i wasn't a pro like steve, then i saw the dangers of all the animals that steve has caught and showen on animal planet,then i decided not to become a crocodile hunter becase sometimes i dont pay attention when im close to an dangerous animal and for that one of them could kill me or eat me steve was my greatest idol i never met him but i wish i had but he will never be forgoten, like they say hero's are rememberd but legends never die.
R.I.P steve irwin