The first thing you think of, when you hear that Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray, is that...well...it's not like you didn't see it coming.
The guy has been hopping around crocs and other such deadly animals for years, reminding me of the bear lover Timothy Treadwell. True, Irwin was much more truly knowledgeable about animals than Treadwell, but they both died at the hands of the creatures they loved.
However, he was a fun guy - I even bought a set of Crocodile Hunter valentines one year. Andy and I would always joke about him: "Let's poke this croc in the nostril, just to see what happens! Crikey, is he mad!"
So, you could probably figure that something was going to get him sooner or later. But, I am sorry it was sooner than later.
Steve Irwin, you will be missed.
JOEY DOESN'T SHARE FOOD
9 hours ago
4 comments:
I'm not an expert on stingrays, but it seems that Irwin wasn't being stupid when the incident happened. Most stingray strikes are not fatal, this one just went straight to his heart. It was pretty much a freak accident, akin to an experienced hiker getting caught in an avalanche. You train hard and become knowledgeable about these things to keep yourself safe but you're engaging in an inherently risky activity. You have to be at peace with the possibility of abrupt death.
I'm no fan of Irwin, but the guy did a lot to show the world how endangered crocodiles are in some parts. He has my grudging respect.
Oh yeah, about Treadwell.
Treadwell's problem wasn't just that he was stupid. Treadwell made the mistake of thinking of the bears as his kinsfolk that valued his friendship. Bears don't have any concept of friendship. What they do have a concept of is food, and how its necessary to survive. Its fun to anthropomorphize wild animals but in this case its what got him killed. Bears are not people. They are beautiful but merciless predators. They deserve to be respected and respect means obeying their boundaries.
I agree with you on both counts, Mehal!
It's not that Irwin "deserved" to be attacked in this case, but when he takes so many risks, you know something's going to get him sooner or later.
Poor Steve.
im actually in 2 facebook groups dedicated to tim treadwell (he was a bradley graduate) and one to steve irwin.
i guess both of their deaths go to show why there's a saying "don't play with the bull or you'll get the horns"
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