CRIKEY! Death by stingray (Steve Irwin killed, RIP)

This is easily the bigger national tragedy for Australia :-(

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Brock

Brock developed an interest in New Age-style spirituality through practitioner Eric Dowker. Brock began publicly supporting, and eventually began to fit to HDT specials, a device called the "Energy Polarizer", containing strong permanent magnets, which, it was claimed, improved the performance and handling of vehicles through "aligning the molecules". The overwhelming majority of the Australian motoring community regarded the device as pseudoscience.[1] Brock also recommended tyre pressures of 22psi (150kPa) for his polariser-equipped vehicles, a level which many regarded as near-dangerously low. Holden, fearing the consequences of being associated with the device, cut ties with Brock and set up an alternative racing/modification operation, Holden Special Vehicles.

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) - Up to 10 stingrays have been found dead and mutilated on Australia's eastern coast since "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin was killed by one of the animals last week, an official said Tuesday, prompting concerns of revenge attacks on the normally docile fish.

The popular television star was killed last week when a stingray barb pierced his chest as he filmed a TV show off Australia's Great Barrier Reef, prompting an outpouring of grief in Australia and among his fans worldwide.

The dead stingrays have been discovered on two beaches in Queensland state, including two that were found Tuesday with their tails lopped off, state fisheries department official Wayne Sumpton said.

Sumpton said fishermen who inadvertently catch the diamond-shaped rays sometimes cut off their tails to avoid being stung, but the practice was uncommon.

Michael Hornby, the executive director of Irwin's conservation group Wildlife Warriors, said he was concerned the rays were being hunted and killed in retaliation for the TV star's death.

"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.

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

Stingrays are usually shy, unobtrusive fish that rummage the sea bottom for food or burrow into the sand. When stepped on or otherwise frightened, a serrated spine up to 25 centimeters (10 inches) long in the animal's tail flares up.

The spines emit toxins that can kill many small creatures and that cause excruciating pain in humans. Few people die from the poison, but the spines can badly tear flesh and the wounds are prone to infections, including tetanus.

Oh wait, message coming through from Steve Irwin, from beyond the grave:

"Mate! Don't do it! It was my fault, the ray didn't see me and thought I was a hostile interloper mate. Leave them! Let the Stingrays go, they are innocent. Mate... Mate... mate..."

http://www.steakandcheese.com/content/homepage/steve-irwin-death-pictures.asp

Heh, and I'm not just talking about the guy getting stuck in the chest by a stingray.

Kudos to Stingrayxploitation cinema.

http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2006/10/toonirwinSPL_350x450.jpg

At least it keeps them off the streets.

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/3065/3yfi5c6fg6.jpg

CRIKEY http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/20/stingray/index.html

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2008-03/36972908.jpg

too soon

The spotted eagle ray weighed about 75 pounds, said Becky Herrin, a spokeswoman for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

The species, also called a leopard ray or bonnet skate, can measure up to 8 feet in length, with an 8-foot tail, and weigh up to 500 pounds, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History's Web site.

They tend to swim close to the surface and can leap out of the water when being pursued, according to the site.

^^^all of this information is kinda incredible/terrifying

http://216.166.86.110/familydigestshow/images/Photo%20Caption%20-%20The%20One%20Minute%20Dad%20swimming%20with%20his%20children%20and%20a%20very%20large%20Stingray%21.JPG
http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/3268879.jpg%3Fv%3D1%26c%3DViewImages%26k%3D2%26d%3D10276273D480F6D86F05BE1C7FF940D5A55A1E4F32AD3138