Celebrate the life of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin

- Australia marked the first anniversary of the death of environmentalist and television “crocodile hunter” Steve Irwin in a low-key manner with his family commemorating privately, reports said Tuesday.

But tributes flowed for the way his widow Terri and daughter Bindi, 9, have conducted themselves since Irwin was killed by a stingray barb that pierced his chest during filming on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Bindi Irwin has become a media star in her own right since her father’s death, promoting his causes, speaking at events to commemorate him and starring in her own television programs. The couple also had a three-year-old son, Bob.

“Behind the positive faces they have shown the world since that dreadful day, there can be no doubt there is still deep sorrow and lasting pain,” Sydney’s Daily Telegraph said in an editorial.

“So too for those who respected and admired Irwin for his boundless enthusiasm for life, his determination to make every second of it worthwhile.

“They will have their own thoughts to content themselves with, their own sadness.”

Irwin, who was 44 when he died, became world-famous for his daring stunts with dangerous animals but he was also an environmentalist who put much of the money he made towards promoting related causes.

He also ran a zoo with is wife in northeastern Queensland state. The Australia Zoo continues to be open to visitors.

Irwin’s death prompted a national outpouring of grief, with tributes flowing in from all sections of society, including Prime Minister John Howard, who described Irwin as a “wonderful and colourful son” of Australia.

A public celebration of Irwin’s life is to be held on September 15.

Gone but NEVER forgotten.

If the life of Steve Irwin has tought people anything, it’s that a life without passion is a life not worth living.

Steves utter passion and exuberance for everything he did in life was beautiful and admirable. He never faultered in his unwavering belief that animals of all kinds deserved to be protected and recognised, and he spent his life doing what he loved.

If only we could all be more like the WildLife Warrior, and cease onto everyday, doing what we love to do, being ourselves despite critisism, and working to make the world a better place.

I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message.
- Steve Irwin – The Crocodile Hunter

...that i so admire is how he wasn’t fearless. he was courageous and brave, but not fearless. he just did all these crazy things anyway. but he lived, he really lived. he experienced this world as an adventure, and his energy and sense of wonder and awe of the world was written all over his face. i see that same spark in his little girl, bindi, and i hope that she doesn’t lose it.

eleanor roosevelt said, “do one thing every day that scares you.” to celebrate and honor the life of steve irwin, i intend to do just that. here’s to you, steve irwin!

I’m usually a pretty big supporter of PETA, but they have gone to far with this one

IRWIN REALLY WILDLIFE WARRIOR?

As habitat preservation and wildlife conservation have become more important worldwide and more popular in the mainstream media, many people have seized the opportunity to make a living by portraying themselves as “ambassadors” for wildlife. Many of these “wildlife warriors,” such as Jack Hanna, Jarod Miller, Jim Fowler, and the late Steve Irwin and Marlon Perkins, have based their celebrity status on showcasing wild animals in film, television, magazines, and other forums. Although their supposed message-emphasizing habitat protection and endangered species conservation-is often right on target, their actions are often quite contradictory.

While these warriors claim to educate the world about the plight of wildlife and the importance of protecting animals whom we share the planet with, any positive message is lost when the presenter exploits and harasses the very animals who are meant to be protected. Hauling animals to television studios or ambushing an alligator with ropes, duct tape, and a camera crew compels people to approach wild animals themselves or-even worse-purchase one to keep as a “pet,” thereby fueling the cruel exotic-animal trade.

These celebrities’ work becomes more about showboating egos and titillating audiences at the expense of animals than about education. Does the public really need to see someone dragging a frightened snake out of a hole and flailing the animal around on a stick in order to realize how important and morally imperative it is to respect and protect that animal?

Wildlife Biologist or Hollywood Star?
Appearances on television talk shows and at conferences and community events subject animals-including babies who should be with their mothers-to completely unnatural and stressful environments. Many celebrity wildlife exhibitors use animal suppliers and assistants with poor records of animal care. Self-professed wildlife warriors make their livings by harassing and mishandling animals who are minding their own business in their natural environments. Animals’ homes are invaded, their nests and dens are disrupted, and they are dragged by their tails, netted, roped, and forced to endure physical invasion of their personal space as the exhibitors jump on them and wrestle them to the ground.

True wildlife experts frown upon the idea of hauling exotic animals around in an endless parade of shows and exhibits and disturbing animals in their natural habitats.

PETA commends those true wildlife warriors who work daily to educate the public about wildlife conservation and to protect the habitats of our wild-animal friends, all while giving them the privacy and the space that they need and deserve.

Steve dedicated his life to the preservation of wildlife, the suggestion that anything he did would harm animals is disgusting. I think I’m more upset at this that I am at germaine greer.

His daughter spoke about Steve…very touching.

Bindi speaks of her hero

Bindi Irwin has paid tribute to her father at his memorial service today at Australia Zoo.
Entering the Crocoseum to rapturous applause and a standing ovation from the 5000 strong crowd, Bindi appeared confident and composed.

She said her father was her hero.

“He was always there for me when I needed him,” Bindi said.

“He listened to me and taught me so many things, but most of all he was fun,” she said.

“He was working to save the world so that everyone would love wildlife like he did,” she said.

She said she knew he had an important job in saving and protecting wildlife.

“He took me and my brother and my mum with him all the time”.

“We filmed together, caught crocodiles together and loved being in the bush together,” she said.

Bindi said she would miss her father “every single day”.

“When I see a crocodile I will always think of him,” she said.

She said her father made the zoo so everyone could come and learn and love animals.

“Daddy made this place his whole life, now it’s our turn to help daddy,” she said.

Steve’s wife Terri quietly cried throughout Bindi’s speech.

And then this is what his dad said about him:

Steve’s father Bob spoke on behalf of the Irwin family, and thanked all of the public for their support since the Crocodile Hunter’s death.

He urged the crowd not to grieve for Steve, as he was at peace now.

“Instead grieve for the animals,” he said.

“The animals have lost the best friend they have ever had, and so have I.”

Steve will be missed.

Sad news across the wire folks;

People who may be avenging the death of Steve Irwin by slaying stingrays are going against everything the conservationist believed in, a friend of the Crocodile Hunter says.

Mr Irwin, 44, was killed last week when his heart was pierced by a stingray barb while he was snorkelling off Port Douglas.
Since his death authorities say as many as 10 stingrays have been found dead on Queensland beaches.

Two stingrays were found today at Deception Bay, north of Brisbane, with their tails cut off, while up to eight stingrays were found in similar circumstances yesterday on Dundowran Beach, near Hervey Bay.

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPIF) biologist Wayne Sumpton examined the stingrays at Deception Bay and said it was not known how they were caught and whether the two incidents were connected to the death of Mr Irwin.
But Wildlife Warrior executive director Michael Hornby, a friend of Mr Irwin, said the killings could be in retaliation to his death – behaviour which flew in the face of everything the Crocodile Hunter believed in.

“We just want to make it very clear that we will not accept and not stand for anyone who’s taken a form of retribution. That’s the last thing Steve would want,” he said.

“Stingrays are beautiful creatures and play an important role for the environment.

“I hope everyone understands we have to protect wildlife now more than ever. This is what Steve was all about.”

Dr Sumpton said there had been reports of similar incidents in the past after fishermen had inadvertently caught stingrays and cut off the tails so they were not stung.
But such incidents were not common, he said.
“We don’t condone the practice,” he said.

Instead, fishers should simply cut their line and allow the ray to swim away, he said.
DPIF general manager of animal welfare Rick Symons said staff were still investigating and offenders could be prosecuted under the Queensland Animal Care and Protection Act if evidence of cruelty was found. taken from ninemsn/news

This is awful, and, as the article says, the antithesis of everything Steve believed in. Are we really going to kill animals in the name of a man who spend his entire life trying to save them. come on people, wake up!!

I’ve spent the weekend watching the animal planet special, A Tribute To Steve. It was hard, watching a man so passionate and full of Life, knowing that the light that burned so bright inside of him (light…more like a fire!!) is now out. May the traditions be carried on in his family for generations upon genrations.

Steve Irwin was one of a kind. An enthusiastic nature and animal lover who wore his heart on his sleeve. We all had those thoughts when he’d grab a snake or some other ridiculously dangerous creature that someday….well, we all know what we thought, but never in a million years would I have thought it would actually happen. At least, not the way it did. I admired his affection for animals and deep love of the environment. He will be missed.

i was so sad when i heard the news,i still can’t get over it,i loved the crocodile hunter.
people here in India will surely miss steve and his beautiful smile.