Sad day for all of us
Sept. 5, 2006 —Remembrances of Steve Irwin, Discovery Networks' beloved "Crocodile Hunter," poured in from all corners of the world in response to Irwin's tragic death during a filming expedition on the Great Barrier Reef.
Irwin was just 44 years old. While an official postmortem report is pending, Irwin is believed to have suffered cardiac failure when he swam over a stingray whose barb pierced Irwin's chest, tearing a hole in his heart. Since Irwin was filming a segment at the time, the incident was caught on tape.
The video shows Irwin pulling a poisonous stingray barb from his chest in his final moments, officials told reporters on Tuesday. Police who reviewed the tape said there was nothing suspicious about Irwin's death and no evidence that he provoked the animal.
He is survived by wife Terri and two young children: Bindi, aged 8 and Robert, aged 2. Police and ambulance officials at the site near Port Douglas, which is 1,260 miles north of Brisbane, indicated the family was immediately informed of his death.
Friends, fans and colleagues worldwide are mourning the sudden loss.
"Steve was a larger than life force," said John Hendricks, founder and chairman of Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI).
"He brought joy and learning about the natural world to millions and millions of people across the globe. He was a true friend to all of us at Discovery Communications. We extend our thoughts and prayers to Terri, Bindi and Bob Irwin as well as to the incredible staff and many friends Steve leaves behind," said Hendricks.
Billy Campbell, president of Discovery Networks, U.S., added, "Our entire company is deeply saddened by the tragic and sudden loss of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. Steve was beloved by millions of fans and animal lovers around the world and was one of our planet's most passionate conservationists."
Plans are already underway to create a "Steve Irwin Memorial Sensory Garden" in front of Discovery's headquarters in Silver Spring, Md.
A full day of programming to honor Steve will air around the globe in the upcoming week.
"The entire Animal Planet family is devastated but determined, now more than ever, to see that Steve Irwin's legacy lives on," said Maureen Smith, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Animal Planet.
DCI is planning to create the Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter Fund, which it expects to affectionately call "The Crikey Fund."
The Fund is expected to provide a way for people to make contributions in Steve's honor to support wildlife protection, education and conservation. The Fund will provide support to Irwin's Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Australia, as well as educational support for his children.
On Sept. 15, the Queensland, Australia town of St. George, near where Irwin established a conservation center and where he often vacationed, will discuss plans for erecting a memorial to the popular television star and conservationist.
"He used to come out here to get away from things and it was very low-key," said St. George's mayor Robert Buchan. "He would shop around town and minded his own business and most of the people out here respected that."
The animal welfare organization RSPCA in Australia also expressed admiration for Irwin.
"He was a modern-day Noah and should be acknowledged as such," said RSPCA Queensland chief executive Mark Townend.
<> British naturalist David Bellamy told the Telegraph
newspaper in London that he cried when he learned of Irwin's death, and added that few people could mix accurate science reporting with show business charisma as well as Irwin did.
Australia's prime minister John Howard was also distressed by today's news. In a statement to the press, Howard said, "It's a huge loss to Australia."
Irwin often took time out of his hectic schedule to acknowledge his many fans, who will never forget his charisma and passion for educating others about animals.
Anne Bostwick, who enjoys watching the Crocodile Hunter with her family in Seattle, Washington, expressed what many fans have been feeling.
"Reading this news this morning tore me up," Bostwick told Discovery News. "He was so very young and so absolutely full of life. And with two young children. What a tragedy."
