Crocodile Hunter No More
Was stunned to hear that Steve "Crickey" Irwin died today while on another one of his crazy adventures. The hugely popular 44-year old Australian television personality and conservationist was killed Monday by a stingray while shooting a segment for a series (ironically) called "Ocean's Deadliest" off the Great Barrier Reef. He apparently swam too close to one of the animals, whose poisonous barb on his tail went up and into Steve's chest, putting a hole into his heart. Whaaat! For heaven's sakes, he had a family. What cruel twist of fate was that? I feel so sorry for his wife and the two children he left behind.
Remember how his public image was dented in 2004 when he caused an uproar by holding his infant son in one arm while feeding large crocodiles inside a zoo pen? Then later that year, he was accused of getting too close to penguins, a seal and humpback whales in Antarctica while making a documentary. This time, however, he didn't live to regale us with stories of his amazing experience. I will truly miss the wild guy who speaks in rapid-fire bursts and leaps on the backs of untethered crocs wearing his "uniform" of khaki shorts, shirt and heavy boots...
technorati tag: steve irwin, crocodile hunter, naturalist, celebrity, entertainment, television, australia
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