Lovable Australian Steve Irwin, "The Crocodile Hunter" was killed this morning swimming off the Low Isles off the Queensland coast. He was 44. Details are still sketchy but initial accounts say he was stabbed through the chest by a stingray. It is a sad day for Animal lovers and fans of this enthisiastic and boyish television personality who brought joy to so many.
It is my belief that the murderous stingray should be caught and made to pay.
Steve Zissou: I'm going to find it and I'm going to destroy it. Possibly with dynamite.
[a woman asks a question about the shark Zissou is hunting]
Festival Director: [translating] That's an endangered species at best. What would be the scientific purpose of killing it?
Steve Zissou: Revenge.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
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UPDATE
It seems Steve Irwin was filming a childrens documentary with Phillipe Cousteau, on the Great Barrier Reef for the Discovery Channel ("Worlds Deadliest Sea Creatures" or something like that) when he came up on a stingray in the sand and the evil bastard stung him in the chest, (some sources say "in the heart").
"The stingray barb that struck Steve Irwin would have been as deadly as a rifle bayonet driven into one of his vital organs, Australian wildlife filmmaker David Ireland said today." (link)Rescue was about 30 minuntes in arriving since a helicopter had to be called to the nearest island while Croc One, his boat, raced him toward help. Irwin was not concious and went into cardiac arrest. CPR was administered on the boat but by the time medical attention arrived, he had already passed away. He leaves behind two young children and a very loyal and loving wife.
"The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet," John Stainton, Irwin's friend and producer, said in the statement. "He died doing what he loves best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. Crocs Rule!"(link)
I still think this Stingray needs to be hunted down and killed. (Yes...Possibly with dynamite.) I know it goes against the whole spirit of Steve Irwin, and I know that it's not what he would have wanted, being such a staunch activist and defender of the Animal World, but I cannot help feeling that the stingray must be made to pay. I mean, there are millions of stingrays all over the world, but there was only one Croc Hunter, and now, because of one ill-tempered (and I suspect malicious) stingray, Steve Irwin is gone.
Phillipe Cousteau should launch an expedition to even the score. I bet ol' Jacques would have done so. Maybe Jack Hanna, Steve Irwins friend and fellow animal lover, should do it. Or maybe they should team up with the Widow, Terri Irwin, and all go after the mean bastard together. They could put that on the Discovery Channel, or on Animal Planet, and make a whole event over it. What do you think?
4 comments:
Stingray was just doing what stingrays do: Flipping their tail when they are startled or provoked. Steve Irwin educated people by doing what you should not do: Provoking dangerous creatures for good screen time. He died doing what he loved, what he did best. And like you say: Steve Irwin himself would encourage you to not seek revenge. Respect the Ocean!
"It [the video of the attack] shows that Steve came over the top of the ray and the tail came up, and spiked him here (in the chest), and he pulled it out, and the next minute he's gone," Stainton told reporters in Cairns, the nearest city to tiny Batt Reef off Australia's far northeast coast where the accident happened."
(http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=232744>1=7703)
I'm still thinking that, if they destroy other animals that kill people (dogs, wild cats, bears, etc.) then it would be wrong to excuse sea creatures for doing the same thing just because of their habitat or species, or because one feels an affinity for them. Are we not also doing what humans do best by seeking revenge on that which has wronged us or caused us pain? But thanks for the input. It helps me put things into a perspective...In your learned opinion...what would be the best way to take out a Bull Stingray?
*sigh*
I still maintain the ray only acted in defense, as is their nature. And i would NEVER encourage or give you advice on how to kill such a beautiful wild animal. However, since I see that you shan't be detered, I offer this humble suggestion:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/233702
He was a gentle soul but wild life is unpredictable it’s unfortunate but there are risk He went out doing what he loved that’s all I can say
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