By Majal Perry
Steve Irwin, known the world over as “The Crocodile Hunter,” may have been one of the last remaining real heroes one could find.
Irwin, along with his witty and always composed sidekick wife, Terri, was known for being able to wrangle just about any crocodile.
Beloved as one of our planet’s most energetic and passionate conservationists, Irwin was tragically killed by a stingray during a filming expedition on the Great Barrier Reef Sept. 4th.
His death clogged web sites the world over with fans writing in to mourn their favorite Australian. The Web site http://www.crocodilehunter.com became the most popular entertainment personality site this week in Australia, ranking number one; ranking third in the United States.
A statement from Billy Campbell, president of Discovery Networks, said, “It was a rare accident in which Steve swam over a stingray and was stung by its barb in his chest. A doctor on board ‘Croc One,’ Steve’s research vessel, was unable to resuscitate Steve and by the time he was reached by the rescue helicopter he had passed away.”
Possibly the most shocking fact about Irwin’s death was that it wasn’t dealt by a ferocious crocodile, but by a usually docile stingray. When the stingray’s barb struck, it pierced Irwin’s heart. It’s believed his death was instant. The blow would have likely been fatal no matter what the circumstances, stingray venom shuts down the circulatory system and there is no known antidote.
Irwin’s love for endangered and threatened species was first kindled as a child, when his parents, Bob and Lyn Irwin, started the small, Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park. He grew up helping his father run the park and at the age of nine, handled his first crocodile. Irwin took over the family park in 1991, renaming it “The Australian Zoo.” While performing a demonstration at the zoo in 1992, he met his wife, Terri, and their croc-trapping honeymoon became the first episode of The Animal Planet’s “The Crocodile Hunter.”
By 1999, the series was broadcast in over 122 countries, reaching 200 million viewers. Along with his zoo and series, he also had started the “Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation.”
In 2002, his first feature film “The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course” was released and grossed over $28 million.
Irwin’s commitment to conservation was unmatched. He and Terri had recently purchased 60,000 acres of wildlife-sensitive land. They were currently working on the rehabilitation of some of the world’s most endangered species. Irwin had established breeding programs at Australia Zoo for such species as the Komodo dragon, Koala, and the giant land tortoise. The zoo, which stretches over 250 acres, received Australia’s award for “Major Tourist Attraction” in 2003. Irwin had just recently been named “Queensland Australian of the Year.”
With only his grin and those khaki shorts, he inspired those with his zeal for life, and the often overlooked lives of animals. With his child like exuberance and lovable catch-phrases like, “Crikey,” “Sheila,” or “She’s a beauty!” in his broad Australian accent, it will be hard to forget the bloke, “The Crocodile Hunter.”
