posted September 04, 2006 02:37 AM         

Steve Irwin became a reptile enthusiast at a young age. He was only eight years old when his father moved the family to Queensland and opened up a small reptile park. Irwin took over the family business in 1991 and turned it into the Australia Zoo. According to Wikipedia, The Crocodile Hunter television show was created in 1992 from footage of crocodile trapping/antics on his honeymoon with his American wife, Terri. His outrageous personality made him an instant hit in the United States.

Irwin was 44 years old. He leaves behind a wife, Terri, and two young children, Bob and Bindi.

posted September 04, 2006 03:11 AM           

SunChild...I was just getting ready to post this when I found your post...I am very sad....

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Stingray kills 'Crocodile Hunter'

POSTED: 2:48 a.m. EDT, September 4, 2006

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Steve Irwin, the Australian TV presenter known as the "Crocodile Hunter," has died after being stung in a marine accident off Australia's north coast.

Australian media reports say Irwin was diving in waters off Port Douglas, north of Cairns, when the incident happened on Monday morning.

Irwin, 44 was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest, according to Cairns police sources. Irwin was filming an underwater documentary at the time.

Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality Monday morning off Port Douglas, according to Australian media.

Queensland Police Services also confirmed Irwin's death and said his family had been notified. Irwin was director of the Australian Zoo in Queensland.

He is survived by his American-born wife Terri and their two children, Bindi Sue, born 1998, and Robert (Bob), born December 2003.

Irwin became a popular figure on Australian and international television through Irwin's close handling of wildlife, most notably the capture and relocation of crocodiles.

Irwin's enthusiastic approach to nature conservation and the environment won him a global following. He was known for his exuberance and use of the catch phrase "Crikey!"

But his image suffered a setback in January 2004 when he held his then 1-month-old baby Bob while feeding a crocodile at his Australian zoo.

In a statement released to Australian media, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expressed his sorrow and said that he was fond of Irwin and was very appreciative of all the work he had done in promoting Australia overseas.

In 2003, Irwin spoke to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.'s Australian Story television program about how he was perceived in his home country.

"When I see what's happened all over the world, they're looking at me as this very popular, wildlife warrior Australian bloke," he said, the ABC reported.

"And yet back here in my own country, some people find me a little bit embarrassing. "You know, there's this... they kind of cringe, you know, 'cause I'm coming out with 'Crikey' and 'Look at this beauty'."

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posted September 04, 2006 03:52 AM           

Flowers laid in memory

SHOCKED members of the public have begun laying flowers in memory of Steve Irwin at his family's animal park, Australia Zoo, north of Brisbane

Tourists joined locals to pay tribute by leaving bouquets of flowers at the front entrance of the zoo at Beerwah.

Rod Cameron, of Brisbane, said he rushed to the zoo as soon as he heard the tragic news.

"It's very sad and we are very upset. Australia just lost a bloody good bloke," he said.

"We grew up in Brisbane, followed his career. We just thought he was a good guy for what he did for Australia.

"He put us on the map I reckon."

Melbourne's Glenn Batson took time out from travelling around Queensland with friends to pay his respects.

"He died doing what he loved, didn't he?" he said.

About half a dozen flowers had been left outside the zoo within hours of the tragic news as devastated staff looked on.

Meanwhile, radio networks in Brisbane were jammed by callers this afternoon who could not believe the Crocodile Hunter was dead.

Listeners called in one after another to check the news and tell of their own feelings of devastation.

Several callers likened the loss to the death of Princess Diana.

Most described him a lovable "yokel" who was passionate about his job and his country.

The 44-year-old television star and naturalist died around 11am (AEST) today when a stingray barb punctured his heart while he was filming a nature documentary in north Queensland.

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I've watched him on TV so many times without relizing how much I felt like I knew him (which I'm sure is true for millions of people...).and just feel so sad to see this happen to him at such a young age...and to leave behind a wife and two young children...*sigh*

posted September 04, 2006 04:12 AM           

1962 - 2006

posted September 04, 2006 06:16 AM           

What a great man and ambassador for Australian wildlife and environment and my daughter's hero

posted September 04, 2006 11:55 AM         

sending sweet sensitive Sun Child
a special hug

posted September 04, 2006 12:33 PM         

We loved you Steve, and everyone's life was enriched by your presence on this planet.....

posted September 04, 2006 10:24 PM           

I'm a kiwi, but fell in love with Steves over the top style when I first saw his Croc show at the Australia Zoo in the early '90s, I found Australians were actually embarrassed about him, fearing aussies would be judged in an equal light internationally, little did they realise how much he was LOVED overseas, adored and admired, for that same 'Larger than life' attitude.

Steve and his wife Terri and the staff of Australia zoo, introduced me and millions more to other inhabitants of Australia, that I knew little to nothing about, he showed us the good and the GREAT things about Australian natives. Wow, shocking tragic news.

posted September 05, 2006 03:30 PM         

What kind of world is this. Why didn't his spirit guides give him another chance? It's just not fair. I do not accept it.

posted September 06, 2006 12:47 AM         

I remember first seeing him on TV when he was with a tribe of Gorillas... and they accepted him into their tribe and he had tears in his eyes because he was so moved.
His sensitive soul was revealed to me then with his genuine ability to connect with ALL creatures.
And I felt his heart, his heart is HUGE.

I'm not sure what his data is LL, I'll find it though and email you.