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

OTM. Same mix of inevitability and tragi-comedy. Although, if the Grizzly dude had been killed by, say, a wolverine or a moose or something, the analogy would work even better.

Which is probably why. Don't have a sixth sense, it'll let you down in the end.

OTM. Same mix of inevitability and tragi-comedy.

Bullshit. Irwin wasn't mentally ill, or stupid. It was a freak accident. Maybe he took more risks than the average office worker but it's ridiculous to think he was anywhere near courting death.
Did a hell of a lot for wildlife conservation and awareness.

I think it's a very good thing that he was a self publicist. The more exposure conservation issues get, the better. So he ran a business at the same time? There are far worse businesses to run. And so he was a bit of a twat sometimes. Aren't we all.

Erk, I sound like CRW.

I found his shtick amusing the first time I encountered it, but never again after that.

'He's probably done more to change the Australian attitude of "Look! A Snake! Kill it! Is it dead? What sort was it?" then anyone else...'

RIP

SO WHO IS GONNA EMBARASS AUSTRALIA NOW? I think this is an opening for ESTEBAN BUTTEZ!!

Freak accident: Steve Irwin killed by stingray
Dead: Colin Thiele dies after illness
Army: More troops for Iraq - Nelson
Obesity warning: Children could die before parents
Petrol: Police say pay first then fill
Final fling: Resurrected Crows raring to go
Irwin: Dangerous career ends in tragedy
Show: Twin Flip to be investigated
Coroner: Fatal stabbing inquiry opens
Irwin death: Stingray barb likened to bayonet
Airline collapse: Ansett wages still unpaid
Medibank Private: Costello backs public float
Review call: New show ride laws 'a failure'
Welcome to Live Better '06
Syndrome: Women are always hungry

And I'm not making that last one up...

Justice!

Attacks on humans are a rarity - only one other person is known to have died in Australia from a stingray attack, at St Kilda, Melbourne in 1945.

The fuck? Attacks on humans are not at all a rarity, at least in Florida. 99% of the time it a sting to the foot when accidentally stepped on, or to the arm trying to remove one from your fishing line. Very very painful but rarely fatal.

I don't know the exact circumstances of the incident, but if Steve grabbed one from behind and pulled it toward his chest, that was extreme willful stupidity on his part. You keep the business end pointed AWAY from you.

From The Register.

http://www.stephenwong.com/albums/rays/Bull_Ray_01_2_meter_disc_020804.jpg

http://www.theage.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1072908911446_2004/01/02/3n_croc,0.jpg

Never!

http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/04/australia.irwin/index.html

Yay conflicting accounts. Its a conspiracy.

Seriously, this is sad news.

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