| Revision as of 03:41, 12 September 2006 editAntiVandalBot (talk | contribs)258,750 editsm BOT - rv AndrewMac (talk) to last version by Kuru← Previous edit | Revision as of 03:41, 12 September 2006 edit undoAndrewMac (talk | contribs)2 edits LOL STEVE IRWIN WAS PWNED BY A FUCKING FISH!!! STUPID FUCKING CHAV!!!Next edit → | ||
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| {{Infobox Celebrity | |||
| | name = Steve Irwin | |||
| | image = Steve Irwin.jpg | |||
| | caption = | |||
| | birth_date = ] ] | |||
| | birth_place = {{flagicon|AUS}} ], ], ] | |||
| | death_date = ] ] | |||
| | death_place = ], ], ] | |||
| | occupation = ], ], ], ] | |||
| | spouse = ] | |||
| | children = Bindi Sue & Robert Clarence | |||
| | website = | |||
| | footnotes = | |||
| }}'''Stephen Robert “Steve” Irwin''' (] ] – ] ]), byname “the Crocodile Hunter”, was an ]n conservationist and television personality. He achieved world-wide fame, from the television program '']'', an internationally-broadcast ] series co-hosted with his wife ]. Together with his wife, he also co-owned and operated ] in ], ], founded by his parents. | |||
| ==Early years== | |||
| Born to Lyn and ] in ], a ] of ], ], Irwin moved with his parents as a child to Queensland in 1970. Irwin described his father as a wildlife expert interested in ] whilst his mother Lyn was a ] rehabilitator. After moving to Queensland, Bob and Lyn Irwin started the small Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, where Steve grew up around ]s and other reptiles. | |||
| Irwin became involved with the park in a number of ways, including taking part in daily animal feedings, as well as care and maintenance activities. On his sixth birthday he was given a 12-foot ]. He began handling crocodiles at the age of nine, after his father had educated him on reptiles from an early age.<ref>{{cite web | title = Biography: Steve Irwin | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20350280-601,00.html | work = ] | publisher = News Limited | date = ] ] | accessdate = 2006-09-04}}</ref> Also at age nine he wrestled his first crocodile, again under his father's supervision.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Wulff | first = Jennifer | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Wild by Nature. (STEVE IRWIN 1962-2006) | journal = People Weekly | volume = 66 | issue = 12 | pages = 60 | publisher = Time, Inc | date = Sept 18, 2006 | url = | doi = | id = | accessdate = }}</ref> He graduated from Caloundra State High School in 1979. He soon moved to Northern Queensland, where he became a crocodile ], removing crocodiles from populated areas where they were considered a danger. He performed the service for free with the '']'' that he be allowed to keep them for the park. Crocodiles that he caught were sent down to the family zoo. He stayed in North Queensland for around five years. Irwin followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a volunteer for the Queensland Government's East Coast Crocodile Management program. | |||
| ==Career== | |||
| ===Rise to fame=== | |||
| ].]] | |||
| The park was a family run business until it was turned over to Irwin in 1991. He took over the running of the park, now called Australia Zoo (renaming it in 1992). Also that year, he appeared in a one-off reptile and wildlife special for television. In 1991, he met Terri Raines at the park, whilst performing a demonstration. The two married in June 1992, Eugene, ]. The footage, shot by ], of their crocodile-trapping ] became the first episode of ''The Crocodile Hunter''. The series debuted on Australian TV screens in 1996, and by the following year had made its way onto North American television. ''The Crocodile Hunter'' became wildly successful in the United States and the UK. By 1999, he had become very popular in the United States, making his first appearance on '']''. By this time, the series was now broadcast in over 122 countries, reaching 200 million people. His exuberant and enthusiastic presenting style, broad ], constant wearing of ]s, and ] “Crikey!” became known worldwide.<ref>{{cite web | first = Sandra | last = Lee | title = Wild Thing | url = http://www.usaweekend.com/00_issues/000618/000618croc_hunter.html | publisher = ] | date = ] ] | accessdate = 2006-09-04 }}</ref> | |||
| {{wiktionary|crikey}} | |||
| Under Irwin's expansive leadership, the operations grew to include the zoo, the television series, the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation (renamed Wildlife Warriors), and the International Crocodile Rescue. Improvements to the Australia Zoo include the Animal Planet Crocoseum, the rainforest aviary and Tiger Temple. Irwin mentioned that he was considering opening an Australia Zoo in ], ], and possibly at other sites around the world.<ref name="larry_king_transcript">{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0411/25/lkl.01.html |title=LARRY KING LIVE Interview With Steve Irwin |accessmonthday= ]|accessyear=2006 |last=King |first=Larry |authorlink=Larry King |coauthors=Irwin, Steve |date=] |work=CNN |publisher=Cable News Network LP, LLLP}}</ref> | |||
| ===Film=== | |||
| ]'']] | |||
| In 2001, Irwin appeared in a ] in the ] film '']''. Irwin's only starring feature film role was in 2002's '']'', which was released to mixed reviews. In the film Irwin (who portrayed himself and performed numerous stunts) mistakes some ] agents for poachers. He sets out to stop them from capturing a crocodile, which, unknown to him, has actually swallowed a tracking drone. The film won the Best Family Feature Film award for a comedy film at the ]. The film was produced on a budget of about $12 million, and has grossed ]33 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=crocodilehunter.htm |title=The Crocodile Hunter:Collision Course |work=] |publisher=Box Office Mojo, LLC}}</ref> To promote the film, Irwin was featured in an animated short produced by ] for Intermix.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.animaxent.com/crocodile_hunter| publisher=Animax| title=The Crocodile Hunter| accessdate=2006-09-10}}</ref> In 2003 Irwin was reportedly in line to host a ] on Australian network television, a series that never went into production.{{fact}} | |||
| ===Animal Planet=== | |||
| ] ended ''The Crocodile Hunter'' with a series finale entitled “Steve's Last Adventure.” The last Crocodile Hunter documentary went for three hours with footage of Irwin's across-the-world adventure, visiting locations like the ], the ], ], and the ]. Irwin went on to star in other Animal Planet documentaries, including ''The ]'', ''The ]'', and '']''. | |||
| ===Later projects=== | |||
| In January 2006 as part of “Australia Week” celebrations in the USA, Irwin appeared at the ], ] in ], ]. During an interview on ''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'', Irwin announced that ] would be developing a show for his daughter, Bindi Sue Irwin.<ref>''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'', ] ].</ref> The show, ''Jungle Girl'', was tipped to be similar to ] movies, with songs that surround a story. A feature-length episode of Australian kids TV show '']'' entitled “Wiggly Safari” appears dedicated to Irwin, and he's featured in it heavily with his wife and daughter. The show includes the song “Crocodile Hunter, Big Steve Irwin". | |||
| In 2006, the American network ] had begun to show a series of specials starring Irwin and his family as they travelled on cross-country tours. | |||
| ===Media work=== | |||
| ] | |||
| Irwin was also involved in several media campaigns. He enthusiastically joined with the ] to promote Australia's strict ]/] requirements, with advertisements and posters featuring slogans such as, “Quarantine Matters! Don't muck with it". His payments for these advertising campaigns were directed into his wildlife fund.<ref name=Willis>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2003/s982212.htm |title=PM - Steve Irwin defends quarantine ad |accessmonthday=] |accessyear=2006 |author=Willis, Louise |coauthors=Irwin, Steve; Colvin, Mark |date=] |work= |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| In 2004 he was appointed ambassador for ], the passenger train running from ] to ] in the central Australian outback, when the line was extended all the way to ] on the northern coast that year. For some time he was sponsored by ].<ref>: Crikey! Steve Irwin loves his Toyotas! </ref> | |||
| He was also a keen promoter for Australian tourism in general and Queensland tourism in particular. In 2002 the Australia Zoo was voted Queensland's top tourist attraction.<ref name=Murdoch>{{cite news | first =Anna | last =King Murdoch |title =He's smart, by crikey | url =http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/06/09/1055010919523.html | work =The Age | publisher = The Age Company Ltd | date = ] 2003| accessdate = 2006-09-04}}</ref> His immense popularity in the United States meant he often promoted Australia as a tourist destination there.<ref name=Elliot>{{cite news | first =Geoff | last =Elliot | title =Keep it simple, mate | work =] | publisher =News Limited | date = ] 2006}}</ref> | |||
| ===Honours=== | |||
| In 2001 Irwin was awarded the ] for his “service to global conservation and to Australian tourism”.<ref></ref> In 2004 he was recognised as Tourism Export of the Year.<ref>, copy of ] article, originally published ] ].</ref> | |||
| He was also nominated in 2004 for ]; an honour which was won by ]. Doubts were cast over his nomination when the “baby Bob” incident occurred in January of that year.<ref>{{cite news |title = Irwin defends stunt |url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/01/05/1073267964997.html |publisher = Sydney Morning Herald |date = ] |accessdate = 2006-09-04}}</ref> | |||
| ===Environmentalism=== | |||
| Irwin was a passionate ] and believed in promoting ] by sharing his excitement about the natural world rather than preaching to people. He was concerned with conservation of ] and ] leading to loss of habitat. He considered conservation to be the most important part of his work: “I consider myself a wild-life warrior. My mission is to save the world's endangered species.”<ref name=Murdoch/> Irwin bought “large tracts of land” in ], ], ] and the ], which he described as “like ]s” and stressed the importance of people realising that they could each make a difference.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s960998.htm |title=ENOUGH ROPE with Andrew Denton - episode 30: Steve Irwin |accessmonthday= ] | accessyear= 2006|author=Denton, Andrew |authorlink=Andrew Denton |coauthors=Irwin, Steve |date= ] |work= |publisher=] }}</ref> | |||
| He had urged people to take part in considerate tourism and not support illegal ] through the purchase of items such as turtle shells, or ]:<ref name="SharkFinSoup">{{cite web|url = http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index.php?menuID=2&subID=883&p=3 | publisher=The First Post |title= Death of the crocodile hunter| date = September 4 2006| accessdate=2006-09-10}}</ref> | |||
| {{cquote|These ] use the camouflage of science to make money out of animals… So whenever they murder our animals and call it sustainable use, I'll fight it. Since when has killing a wild animal, eating it or wearing it, ever saved a species? | |||
| <P> | |||
| There are people who butt out their ]s in gorilla-paw ashtrays, with wastepaper baskets that were once elephant feet, who have ivory ornaments… who wear cheetah fur. Don't buy these things! Then there'll be no market and the animals won't be killed. | |||
| <P> | |||
| We have domesticated livestock raised for consumption and perfectly good fake leather and fur, so why must we kill wild animals to satisfy the ] taste of some rich person?<ref>, copy of an article from '']'', August 2006.</ref>}} | |||
| He founded the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation, which was later renamed Wildlife Warriors Worldwide, and became an independent ]. He was described after his death by the ] of ] Queensland as a “modern-day ]”, and ] naturalist ] lauded his skills as a ] and media performer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://today.reuters.com/News/CrisesArticle.aspx?storyId=SP68982 |title=Australia stunned by death of “modern-day Noah” |accessmonthday=] |accessyear=2006 |last=Tait |first=Paul |date= ] |work=Reuters.com |publisher=Reuters}}</ref> Irwin discovered a new species of turtle that now bears his name, '']'' — Irwin's Turtle — a species of turtle found on the coast of Queensland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-bin/abrs/fauna/details.pl?pstrVol=REPTILIA;pstrTaxa=3312;pstrChecklistMode=1 |title=Elseya irwini |accessmonthday=] |accessyear=2006 |work=Australian Faunal Directory |publisher=Department of the Environment and Heritage, Commonwealth of Australia }}</ref> | |||
| He also helped to found a number of other projects, such as the International Crocodile Rescue, as well as the Lyn Irwin Memorial Fund, in memory of his mother, with proceeds going to the Iron Bark Station Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. | |||
| Irwin, however, was criticised for having an unsophisticated view of ] that seemed more linked to tourism than the problems Australia faces as a ]. The '']'' reported in 2002 that Irwin had stated: | |||
| {{cquote|“Here is my greatest gift to the world,” he cries. “We need to stand proud of what is Australia … the greatest grazing nation on the face of the Earth! The whole joint is grazing land … and by crikey we're good at it! We should be … beef and lamb, not kangaroos and crocodiles. They're why ] come to Australia. They are tourism icons!"}} | |||
| In response to questions of Australia's problems with ], ], ], Irwin responded: “Cows have been on our land for so long that Australia has evolved to handle those big animals.” The Sydney Morning Herald concluded with the opinion that his message was confusing and amounted to “eating roos and crocs is bad for tourism, and therefore more cruel than eating other animals".<ref>{{cite news | first= Frank | last= Robson | author= | url= http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/09/04/1157222053963.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap3 | title= Crikey, it's raw Stevo! | work= Good Weekend | publisher= Sydney Morning Herald | date= First published April 2002, republished ] | accessdate=2006-09-05}}</ref> | |||
| ==Media image== | |||
| ] | |||
| Irwin made liberal use of ] (such as his catchcry, “Crikey!”) in a very broad ]. His unabashed enthusiasm for dangerous animals and childlike energy drew criticism at times from local critics who saw his style as primitive. He expressed disappointment for media criticism, believing he was being targeted due to a ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3786548a12,00.html |title=Cultural cringe irked Irwin |accessmonthday=] |accessyear=2006 |last=Tourelle |first=Greg |date=] |work=stuff.co.nz | publisher=Fairfax New Zealand Ltd }}</ref> | |||
| Regardless of local opinion, his media personage was very popular worldwide but especially in the ], akin to another great international Australian success — ] as “'']''” in the 1980s.<ref name=Elliot/> His friends and family often reported that he was to them as he was to the rest of the world — larger than life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2003/s949278.htm |title=Australian Story What Lies Beneath Transcript |accessmonthday=] |accessyear=2006 |last=Crowe |first=Russell |authorlink= |coauthors=Irwin, Steve |date=] |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| Due to his memorable persona, numerous parodies of Irwin exist, including appearances in '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', the ] '']'', the ]s '']'' and '']'' (in the latter, he appeared as an anthropomorphic koala), '']'', and the “]” episode of '']'', among others. He appeared to have fun with his image, even participating in a 2006 ] television commercial depicting him wrestling ], the ]'s mascot, to the ground in an ESPN studio hallway. | |||
| Even regarding his own death, Irwin displayed a sense of humour. He once insisted, “My number one rule is to keep that camera rolling. Even if it's shaky or slightly out of focus, I don't give a rip. Even if a big old alligator is chewing me up I want to go down and go, 'Crikey!' just before I die. That would be the ultimate for me.”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/crocodile%20hunter%20death%20to%20be%20broadcast_1007314 |title=CROCODILE HUNTER DEATH TO BE BROADCAST? |accessmonthday=] |accessyear=2006 |publisher=contactmusic.com}}</ref> | |||
| ==Personal life== | |||
| <!--], Bob, Steve, and Bindi.]] comment out image with uncertain copyright status--> | |||
| ===Family=== | |||
| In 1992, Irwin married Terri Raines from ], ], ]. The pair had met a few months earlier when Raines had visited the zoo on a holiday. Said Terri at the time, “I thought there was no one like this anywhere in the world. He sounded like an environmental Tarzan, a larger-than-life superhero guy.”<ref name=Who.com>{{cite web | url = http://www.who.com/who/scoop/article/0,19971,1531530,00.html | title = Reptile Romance | accessmonthday = ] | accessyear = 2006 | date = ] | work = Who Magazine | publisher = Time Inc }}</ref> Together they had two children: a daughter, Bindi Sue Irwin (born ] ]), and a son, Robert Clarence “Bob” Irwin (born ] ]). Bindi Sue is jointly named after two of Steve Irwin's favourite animals: Bindi, a ], and Sui, a ] who died in June 2004. | |||
| Irwin was as enthusiastic about his family as he was about his work. He once described his daughter Bindi as “the reason he was put on the Earth". His wife once said, “The only thing that could ever keep him away from the animals he loves are the people he loves even more.”<ref name="larry_king_transcript"/> | |||
| ===The “Baby Bob” Controversy=== | |||
| Some controversy arose during a public show on ] ], when Irwin carried his one-month-old son, Bob, in his arm whilst hand-feeding a chicken carcass to a 4-meter-long crocodile. The infant was close to the crocodile, and comparisons were made in the press to ]'s dangling of his son outside a German hotel balcony.<ref name="babydangling">{{cite news | title = It's like a part of Australia has died | author = Patrick Barkham | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/australia/story/0,,1865085,00.html | publisher = Guardian Unlimited | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-09-05 }}</ref> In addition, child welfare groups, ] groups, and some of Irwin's television viewers criticised his actions as being irresponsible and tantamount to ].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3364733.stm | title = Inquiry into croc baby stunt | accessmonthday = ] | accessyear = 2006 | date = ] | work = bbc.co.uk | publisher = ] }}</ref> | |||
| Irwin, his wife, his long-time friend Wes Mannion and his director/producer John Stainton all claimed that any danger to his son was only a perceived danger and that he was in complete control of the situation. Mannion also noted that there were at least six park employees inside the enclosure further limiting danger, according to Mannion's statement to the program ''Crocodile Hunter Confessions''. Steve and Terri consistently refused to apologise for his actions despite public outcry, by some, both in Australia and abroad. He and Terri both claimed that their children need to be “croc savvy” in order to be safe living around crocodiles. To critics, Terri rhetorically asked, “Do I wait until crawl into a crocodile pen ? Do I wait until a child spills a pan of boiling water on his head before I him to a hot stove?” | |||
| “I'm teaching Bob and Bindi exactly the same way my Dad taught and raised me,” Steve further commented on ''Crocodile Hunter Confessions''. | |||
| ===Search and rescue effort in Mexico=== | |||
| In November 2003, Irwin was filming a documentary on ]s off the coast of ]'s ] when he heard via his boat's radio that two ]s were reported missing in the area. Irwin and his entire crew suspended operations to aid in the search. His team's divers searched with the rescue divers, and Irwin used his vessel to patrol the waters around the island where the incident occurred, as well as using his satellite communications system to call in a rescue plane. On the second day of the search, ]s found one of the divers, Scott Jones, perched on a narrow ledge of rocks over waters with dangerous currents. Irwin and a crewmember escorted him to Irwin's boat. Jones reported not recognising his celebrity rescuer as he had never seen Irwin on television. The other lost diver, Katie Vrooman, was found dead the following day by a search plane not far from Jones's location.<ref> by Thomas Geyer</ref> | |||
| ===Sports Fan=== | |||
| Having grown up in Essendon, Irwin was a fan of the ], an ] club in the ].<ref Name=times> The Times Online ] ]. URL accessed on ] ]</ref> Irwin took part in an Australian Rules football promotion in Los Angeles as part of “Australia Week” in early 2006.<ref>. URL accessed on ] ]</ref> After his death, a picture of Irwin wearing a Bombers gurensey was shown by ] in their Bottom 10 ranking of the worst ] ] teams after Week 1 of the season in tribute to him. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2573548|title=The Bottom 10: Have a look at this beauty|firstname=David|lastname=Duffey|publisher=ESPN.com|date=2006-09-06|accessdate=2006-09-11}}</ref> | |||
| Living in Queensland most his life, Irwin was also a fan of ]. As a teenager he played for the Caloundra Sharks as a second-rower,<ref>. URL accessed on ] ]</ref> and as an adult he was known to be a passionate ] fan and was involved with the club on several occassions. On one ocassion after turning up to training he asked if he could tackle the largest player, ]. Despite being thrown to the ground and looking like he'd been crushed he was jovial about the experience. An experience he laughingly retold the ] ] squad before the 2006 series<ref>. URL accessed on ] ]</ref>. | |||
| ===Other personal information=== | |||
| * Irwin was born on his mother's birthday.<ref name="larry_king_transcript" /> | |||
| * Irwin was particularly interested in ], which he considered a sister institution of the ].<ref>{{cite web | title = Singapore Sling! | work = International Crocodile Rescue | url = http://www.crocodilerescue.com/singapore.html | accessdate = 16 March | accessyear = 2006 }}</ref> | |||
| * Irwin loved ] competitions and trained with ] in the fighting/grappling system of ].<ref> www.jacksons.tv. Retrieved ] ].</ref> | |||
| * Irwin said on an interview for the ] that he would only stop his wildlife conservation efforts when his children took hold of the operation, just as he had done with his father. | |||
| * In 2004, during an interview with ], he admitted that after receiving many painful bites he had a fear of parrots.<ref name="larry_king_transcript"/> | |||
| * In 2005, in an interview for ], he told the magazine he was afraid of being killed in a car crash.<ref name="car crash">{{cite web | title = Irwin feared fast cars more than animals | url = http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=141770 | accessdate = 10 September | accessyear = 2006 }}</ref> | |||
| ==Death== | |||
| {{wikinewsart|Crocodile Hunter's Steve Irwin dies at 44}} | |||
| Shortly after 01:00 ] (11:00 ]) on ], ], Irwin was fatally pierced in the chest by a ] barb whilst snorkelling at the ], at ], which is located off the coast of ] in ]. Irwin was in the area filming his own documentary, to be called ''The Ocean's Deadliest'', but weather had stalled filming. Irwin decided to take the opportunity to film some shallow water shots for a segment in the television program his daughter Bindi was hosting,<ref name="theage">{{cite news | title = Croc Hunter Irwin killed by stingray | publisher = THE AGE | date = ] ] | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Croc-Hunter-Steve-Irwin-died-instantly/2006/09/04/1157222051588.html | accessdate = 2006-09-04}}</ref> when, according to his friend and colleague, ], he swam too close to one of the animals. “''He came on top of the stingray and the stingray's barb went up and into his chest and put a hole into his heart''", said Stainton, who was on board Irwin's boat the ''Croc One''. | |||
| The events were caught on camera, and a copy of the footage was handed to the ]<ref name="AustNews">{{cite news | first = Ian | last = Gerard | coauthors = and Koch, Tony | title = Steve Irwin's freak death filmed | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20355112-601,00.html | publisher = The Australian | date = ] ] | accessdate = 2006-09-04}}</ref>. After reviewing the footage of the incident and speaking to the cameraman who recorded it, marine documentary filmmaker and former spearfisherman ] speculated that the stingray “''felt threatened because Steve was alongside and there was the cameraman ahead''". In such a case, the stingray responds to danger by automatically flexing the serrated barb on its tail (which can measure up to 25 cm or about 10 inches in length) in an upward motion. | |||
| ]]] | |||
| Cropp said Irwin had accidentally boxed in the animal. “''It stopped and twisted and threw up its tail with the spike, and it caught him in the chest. It's a defensive thing. It's like being stabbed with a dirty dagger''". The stinging of Irwin by the ] was “a one-in-a-million thing,” Cropp told '']'' magazine. “I have swum with many rays, and I have only had one do that to me.”<ref name="timemagazine">{{cite web |title=Death of a Crocodile Hunter | url = http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1531446,00.html | author = Rory Callinan | publisher = ] | date = ] ] | accessdate=2006-09-04 }}</ref> | |||
| Initially, when Irwin's colleague, ], was interviewed by CNN's ] late on ], he denied the suggestion that Irwin had pulled the barb out of his chest, or that he had seen footage of the event, insisting that the anecdote was “absolute rubbish.” <ref name="cnnstaintoninterview">{{cite web | title = Crocodile Hunter Remembered | url = http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0609/04/acd.01.html | accessdate = 2006-09-05}}</ref> The following day, when he first described the video to the media, he stated, “''Steve came over the top of the ray and the tail came up, and spiked him here , and he pulled it out and the next minute he's gone''". <ref name="AustNews"/> It is thought, in the absence of a coroner's report, that a combination of the toxins and the puncture wound from the barb caused Irwin to die of ], with most damage being inflicted by tears to arteries or other main blood vessels.<ref>{{cite news | title = Serrated knife-like barb, not toxins, the likely killer | url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/09/04/1157222072726.html | author = Richard Macey | date = ] | publisher = Sydney Morning Herald | accessdate = 2006-09-05}}</ref> It is also possible that he died quickly as a result of a punctured ].<ref name="aortaref">{{cite news | title = Fatal stingray attack quick and rare | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20355064-30417,00.html | author = Hedley Thomas and Nico Hines | date = ] | publisher = ] | accessdate = 2006-09-05}}</ref> Until the coroner's report is released, however, the precise cause of Irwin's death remains conjecture. | |||
| Crew members aboard his boat called the emergency services in the nearest city of ] and administered ] as they rushed the boat to nearby the Low Islets to meet a rescue helicopter. Medical staff pronounced Irwin dead when they arrived a short time later.<ref name="theage" /> According to Dr. Ed O'Loughlin, who treated Irwin, “it became clear fairly soon that he had non-survivable injuries. . . . He had a penetrating injury to the left front of his chest. He had lost his pulse and wasn't breathing.”<ref>{{cite news | title = Stingray Kills 'Crocodile Hunter' | publisher = AOL News | date = ] ] | url = http://articles.news.aol.com/entertainment/_a/stingray-kills-crocodile-hunter/20060904005509990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001 | accessdate = 2006-09-04}}</ref> | |||
| Irwin's body was flown to a morgue in Cairns. His wife, Terri Irwin, was on a walking tour in ] in ] at the time, and returned via a private plane from ] to the ] with their two children.<ref name="theage" /> | |||
| As of 1996, only seventeen worldwide fatalities had been recorded due to stingrays, <ref name="AustNews" /> and the attack on Irwin is believed to be the only fatality from a stingray ever captured on film.<ref>{{cite web | title = Stingray Deaths Rare and Agonizing | url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/04/australia.irwin.stingray.reut/index.html | publisher = ] | work = ] | date = ] ] | |||
| | accessdate = 2006-09-04 }}</ref> | |||
| Recent questions have surfaced which suggest the footage of Steve Irwin's death may be released for broadcast on television.<ref name="contactmusic">{{cite news | title = Crocodile Hunter death to be broadcast? | publisher = Contact Music | date = ] ] | url = http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/crocodile%20hunter%20death%20to%20be%20broadcast_1007314 | accessdate = 2006-09-07}}</ref> However, the opposite has also been stated. Irwin's friend and manager John Stainton said to ]'s ] “ should be destroyed".<ref name="tapedestroyed">{{cite news | title = Irwin's dad: 'I lost my best mate' | publisher = ] | date = ] ] | url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/06/death.irwin/index.html | accessdate = 2006-09-07}}</ref> | |||
| ===Reaction=== | |||
| News of his death prompted widespread shock and loss. ] ] expressed his “shock and distress” at the death, saying that “Australia has lost a wonderful and colourful son.”<ref>{{cite news | title = Irwin brought joy to millions: PM | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20350650-5006786,00.html | publisher =] | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-09-04 }}</ref> ] ] commented in a ] television interview that Irwin “will be remembered as not just a great Queenslander, but a great Australian".<ref name="statefuneral">{{cite news | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20356038-29277,00.html | title = Irwin family offered state funeral | publisher = The Australian | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-09-04 }}</ref> Several Australian news websites went down because of high web traffic and for the first time the top 10 list of most viewed stories for ] news sites were swept by one topic.<ref name="consumes_web">{{cite web | url = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/09/05/1157222114384.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 | title = Croc Hunter news consumes the web | publisher = theage.com.au | date = ] | accessdate= 2006-09-08}}</ref> Talk-back radio experienced a high volume of callers expressing their grief.<ref>{{cite news | first = Richard | last = Fidler | title = Tributes flow for Steve Irwin | url = http://www.abc.net.au/brisbane/stories/s1732538.htm | publisher = 612 ABC radio | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-09-04 }}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| The U.S. feed of the ] ] channel aired a special tribute to Steve Irwin that started on Monday, ] ]. The tribute continued with the Animal Planet channel showing highlights of Irwin's more than 200 appearances on Discovery Networks shows.<ref>'']'' </ref> The president of the Discovery Network, Billy Campbell, released a statement, saying:<ref name="discovery_mourns">{{cite web | url = http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/crochunter/steve/pressrelease_print.html | title = Discovery Communications, Inc. Mourns the Death of TV Host and Conservationist Steve Irwin | publisher = Discovery Communications | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-09-08 }}</ref> | |||
| {{cquote|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. He has graced our air since October 1996 and was essential in building Animal Planet into a global brand.}} | |||
| On the evening of his death, '']'' re-broadcast an interview between Irwin and ] originally broadcast in 2003. ] showed a repeat of his interview on '']'', originally recorded in 2004. The Australian ] opened on ] ] with condolence speeches by both the Prime Minister ] and the Leader of the Opposition ]. The ] aired a television memorial show as a tribute to Irwin on ] ],<ref name="yahoo7">'']'' </ref>, as did the ] on ] ]. Also on the evening of his death ] '']'' ] called Irwin a “]” on air but later apologised for his comments in an online editorial called ''Humble Pie''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.mrock.com.au/shows/spoonman/editorials/2006-09-08/spoonman_20060908_ed1.wma| title=The Spoonman - Humble Pie| work=Triple M| publisher=mrock| accessdate=2006-09-10| format=WMA}}</ref> | |||
| Irwin was very popular in the United States, and tributes flooded U.S. talk shows following Irwin's death.<ref name="ustalk">'']'' </ref> ] delivered a tribute to Irwin, describing him as a great ambassador of Australia. Irwin appeared on Leno's talk show on more than ten occasions. There were also tributes on '']'' and ]' ''];'' on the former show, ] came close to tears with her praise of Irwin.<ref name="ustalk"/> ''The View'''s co-host ] described informing her son of Irwin's death as if ] had died for him.<ref name="ustalk"/> | |||
| ] ] made light of the incident — joking about stingrays on ] and prompting an apology from WWE Chairman ].<ref></ref> | |||
| Hundreds of people visited ] to pay tribute to the deceased entertainer and conservationist. The day after his death, the volume of people visiting the zoo to pay their respects affected traffic so much that police reduced the speed limit around the Glass House Mountains Road and told motorists to expect delays.<ref name="beatie_flags_irwin_award">{{cite news | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200609/s1733664.htm | title = Beattie flags Steve Irwin award, national park | publisher = ABC | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-09-07 }}</ref> | |||
| Amid the outpouring of public grief, ] published a criticism making statements such as “the animal world has finally taken its revenge” and referring to Irwin’s rebuttal to criticism as “That sort of self-delusion is what it takes to be a 'real Aussie ]'".<ref>{{cite news | first = Germaine | last = Greer | title = 'That sort of self-delusion is what it takes to be a real Aussie larrikin' | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/australia/story/0,,1865124,00.html| publisher = Guardian Unlimited | date = | accessdate = 2006-09-05 }}</ref> The Australian media reacted with distaste to the article amid the praise offered for Irwin.<ref>{{cite news | first = Fiona | last = Hudson | title = Feminist Greer slams Steve's antics | url = http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20362163-2,00.html | publisher = Daily Telegraph | date = ]| accessdate = 2006-09-05 }}</ref> Some notable Australian politicians regarded Greer's commentary with derision; her remarks were subsequently stamped as “insensitive and, frankly, stupid” by Peter Beattie and “gratuitous, politically correct claptrap” by Shadow Foreign Affairs spokesman ].<ref>News.com.au </ref><ref>{{cite news | first = Jessica | last = Marszalek | title = Beattie adds 'stupid' to Greer backlash | url = http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20368356-5003402,00.html | publisher=The Courier-Mail | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-09-07 }}</ref> | |||
| Writing in '']'', ] describes his own shock at learning of Irwin's death and his outrage at the “elites", as he describes some including Greer, and their “harsh” and “unfeeling” sentiments.<ref>{{cite news | first = John | last = Birmingham | title = Expat's feral attack reflects elitist conceit | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20365709-7583,00.html | publisher=The Australian | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-09-07 }}</ref> | |||
| However some did come to her defense, such as Dr ], the executive director of the ], who, writing in '']'' admitted that while “Irwin was generous in using the wealth he accumulated for private conservation purposes", he was a crude presenter of nature. He accuses some Australians of being dishonest in their grief, claiming that for such persons it was a relief “to find a real target for bitterness in the form of Germaine Greer, whose only mistake was poor timing.” “It's the new face of the ]", writes Hamilton, “we canonise anybody who makes it in the US or Britain no matter how lowbrow the performer.”<ref>{{cite news | first = Clive| last = Hamilton| title = Death becomes an excuse to savage 'elites' - now that's nasty | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/death-becomes-an-excuse-to-savage-elites--now-thats-nasty/2006/09/07/1157222262395.html | publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-09-07 }}</ref> | |||
| ===Funeral and memorials=== | |||
| ] ] extended the offer of a ] to Irwin's family, an honour also agreed to by ] John Howard. The family decided that such a funeral wouldn't be appropriate. Steve Irwin's father, ], stated that his son would not have wanted such an honour, and would want to be remembered as an “]"<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/father-rejects-state-funeral-for-ordinary-bloke-son/2006/09/06/1157222201277.html | title = Father rejects state funeral for 'ordinary bloke' son | publisher = The Age | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-09-07}}</ref>. Irwin was farewelled by family and friends at a private ] service held at ] on the afternoon of ], and is believed to have been buried at Australia Zoo soon after.<ref>{{cite news | first = Lou | last = Robson | title = Family says private farewell | url = http://www.news.com.au/sundaymail/story/0,23739,20383870-3102,00.html | publisher= The Sunday Mail | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-09-10 }}</ref> Caloundra City Council officials gave the Irwin family permission to bury him on the property.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.caloundra.qld.gov.au/website/cityCouncil/homepage/home.asp| title= Caloudra City Council| accessdate=2006-09-10}} - note that this reference doesn't appear to actually give information about the matter that it's being used as a citation for here.</ref> | |||
| '''Australian memorials''' | |||
| * ] commented that there would be a public memorial service held within the next two weeks, so that the public would be able to attend. ] in Brisbane has been reported as the likely venue for the public memorial.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://au.news.yahoo.com/060905/23/10f6p.html | title = Irwin may have stadium memorial service | publisher = Yahoo!7 News | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-09-06 }}</ref> Beattie stated he would honour the decision of the Irwin family regarding their arrangements. | |||
| * Several permanent memorials for Irwin have already been considered or announced. Premier Peter Beattie suggested a national park be named after Irwin or a permanent memorial might be constructed in his honour, though the details of the structure would depend on Irwin's family.<ref name="beatie_flags_irwin_award"/> | |||
| '''American memorials''' | |||
| * Animal Planet will rename the garden space in front of Discovery's world headquarters in ], ], ], to the “Steve Irwin Memorial Sensory Garden.”<ref name="discovery_mourns" /> | |||
| * The creation of the Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter Fund, which they will call “The Crikey Fund” which will “''provide a way for people from across the globe to make contributions in Steve's honor to support wildlife protection, education and conservation''".<ref name="discovery_mourns" /> | |||
| ==References== | |||
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| ==External links== | |||
| {{wikiquote|Steve Irwin}} | |||
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| * {{imdb name|id=0410455|name=Steve Irwin}} | |||
| * {{tvtome person|id=124720|name=Steve Irwin}} | |||
| * - In Memoriam of Steve Irwin at Treehugger Magazine | |||
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| |SHORT DESCRIPTION=Australian environmentalist and television personality | |||
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Revision as of 03:41, 12 September 2006
