The Crocodile Hunter – Legend in His Own Time
44 year old Australian television personality and conservationist, Steve Irwin, died Monday after being attacked by a stingray during filming for a television series on the Great Barrier Reef.
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Irwin, who was no stranger to sidling up alongside deadly animals, swam over top of a stingray and was pierced by its poisonous barb. Typically an attack by a stingray is not deadly, but in this freak event the barb apparently entered below Irwin’s rib cage and pierced his heart.
Crew members aboard Irwin’s boat, Croc One, were unable to resuscitate him. He was pronounced dead a short time later when they arrived at Low Isle to meet a rescue helicopter.
Irwin entertained millions as the famous Crocodile Hunter. Fearlessly he would engage huge crocodiles, swim through jungle rivers with poisonous snakes, and play among sharks in the oceans off of his homeland of Australia. His fun, energetic approach to the world of the wild intrigued us. He made us more aware.
In 2002 Irwin’s legend made it to the silver screen as the feature character in the film “The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course.” But his greatest impact was through television, where he showed us the animal kingdom through his eyes. And what a show it was.
There will be no one just like Steve Irwin, he was one of a kind. A true adventurer and passionate about the animals he brought to our television sets.
Irwin leaves behind his wife Terri, 8 year old daughter Bindi, and 3 year old son Bob.
He will be missed by millions.
