Make A Tombstone Memorial Leave your kind words here... in memory of Steve Irwin
Steve Irwin. 1962 - 2006
SYDNEY (AFP) - Iconic Aussie wildlife daredevil Steve Irwin has died as he loved living: seeking out the world's most dangerous and exotic creatures in their own domain.
But, in a strange twist, it was one of the less dangerous creatures that he has confronted that ultimately claimed his life.
The ebullient environmentalist, one of Australia's best known exports, was killed when he was lashed in the chest by a stingray's poison barb while filming underwater on the Great Barrier Reef on Monday.
"We have probably lost one of the most passionate wildlife people on this earth," said Irwin's producer John Stainton, who was filming with Irwin when his heart was pierced by the stingray's venomous tail.
Irwin's overflowing passion for animals, reptiles, fish and other creatures -- however deadly they might have been -- was a lifelong affair that made him a household name across the world.
His infectious enthusiasm and natural showmanship grew out of a childhood spent at the small reptile park started by his parents in Queensland, northeastern Australia, where he learned his love for creepy crawlies.
Born Stephen Robert Irwin in the southern city of Melbourne in 1962, the future "Crocodile Hunter" was exposed to such creatures from the earliest age by his reptile-enthusiast plumber father Bob and mum Lyn.
When Irwin was eight, his family moved to Queensland to launch a reptile park at Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast, where he helped care for and feed the slithering menagerie which he soon adopted.
He would spend his spare time catching fish and hunting rodents to feed to his 3.6-meter (12-foot) pet python and his crocodiles.
Irwin's father taught him the ropes, even training him to jump into rivers in the region to catch crocodiles at night with his bare hands, an antic that would become one of Irwin's signature moves when he became a global television star.
As an adult, Irwin launched into the crocodile trapping business in areas of Queensland where the beasts were troubling residents, and in 1991 he took over the family business which he would turn into a global attraction.
Fate took a hand in Irwin's fortunes in 1991, when he ran into an old friend and television producer, Stainton, who oversaw the making of Irwin's first documentary, "The Crocodile Hunter", in 1992.
The show depicted the crocodile-trapping honeymoon of Irwin and his new American bride Terri Raines, who he had met at the park, and it turned Irwin into a TV personality.
Over the next 15 years, Irwin would make more than 70 one-hour episodes of his unusual wildlife documentary series, as well as scores of other shows with titles such as "Croc Files" and "Croc Diaries".
The unusual mix of Irwin's boundless enthusiasm and apparent fearlessness while getting close up and personal with terrifying creatures turned him into a star, notably in the United States where he is the subject of countless impersonation acts.
But his passion for promoting environmentalism and educating children in the ways of the wild had got Irwin into trouble as well as making him legions of fans.
In 2004, the father-of-two became the focus of a public firestorm when he fed a chicken to a hungry crocodile while holding his one-year-old son Bob in his other arm.
Irwin hit back at critics, saying the child was in no danger and insisted that he would continue such antics if they taught children about wildlife. His eight-year-old daughter Bindi looks set to follow in her dad's footsteps. "When I was a very small boy, my dad did the same for me," he retorted. "In fact when I was nine-years-old he let me jump, restrain and capture my first crocodile."
was hoping to meet him when i had a chance to go down to australia but now i will never meet the funny man...will put videos up of him later!!
Take a moment, close your eyes, and say a prayer.
Steve Irwin, lovingly known as the Crocodile Hunter, died on Monday doing what he loved; capturing wildlife on film in its own demain.
While filming Stingrays in the Great Barrier Reef, Steve Irwin was slashed through the heart by one of the posionous barbs on a Stringray's tail. He was paralized instantly and died later that day, leaving a loving wife and two children behind.
Irwin and his wife were very much in love, and now she will have to face life without the person she needs. His two young children will grow up without knowing the wonders of their father.
If you ever watched The Crocodile Hunter, you'd know what an impact that Steve has made on the past decade of research. He bravely went where no man has gone, and he has done milestones in zoology and other forms of science.
Kids, teens and adults alike will join in their mourning of this great, charismatic Australian.
Remember Steve Irwin, loved by all. Remember our Crocodile Hunter.
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TEN THINGS ABOUT STEVE
Did you know...
~ 1...that he said three times "I love you" to Terri before he left her the last time they held each other?
~ 2...that little Steve was banned from the Schoolbus, cause he was carrying 7 very venomenous red belly black snakes he captured in an esky when he was twelfe?
~ 3...that Steve was knocked down and out by his brolga-bird Brolly when he was 7 years old, cause the bird pecked him of the top of the head?
~ 4...that Wes Mannion, the director of the Australia Zoo was Steve..s best friend since their teenage time?
~ 5...that Steve broke his neck shortly before he did his last movie? (Accident unknown, I..m sorry)
~ 6...that Terri thought Steve lost his interest in her after their third date, cause Steve was talking so much that he forgot about to kiss her? :)
~ 7...that Steve..s first beloved dog Chilli died, cause she was shot by accident?
~ 8...that Steve started to cry after capturing a croc, cause onlooking people said .."This croc is so ugly...it would just give a few good boots, bags and belts.."
~ 9...that Steve was a passionate and really good surfer before he had to give it up, cause of all his injuries?
~ 10...that Steve used to say that he..d never turn old--------------------------------------------------------- -- HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND I HOPE UR 2008 IS AS GOOD OR BETTER THAN 2007!!TOP 40 AND COMMENTS BELOW THE VIDEO
John Williams Sings 'TRUE BLUE'
at Steve Irwin's Memorial
Real Name: Stephen Robert Irwin Birthday: 02/22/1962 Birthplace: Victoria, Australia Occupation: Sport Sign: Pisces Death date: 09/04/2006 Death reason: Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia. (stingray attack) NEW BANNER FOR MY COMMENTS AND FOR MY FRIENDS WHO WANT IT!!!
REALITY TV at its Finest: Long before Survivor, way before Big Brother, The Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin brought REAL Reality TV in everyones living room using Networks such as Animal Planet or Discovery. No tribal Council, No House Eviction, Just the mission that Steve believed he put on this Earth for, To Encourage The Preservation and Conservation of Earth's Animals. Steve, at every moments, hung his life on the line. In every encounter with crocodiles, Monitors, and some of the most Venomous snakes in the World, Steve Strived for excellence in teaching the public the truth and importance of these animals as well as the dangers of his encounters. Steve was, and is, in my opinion, the best at what he did, and likely always will be. The encounters were real, the Dangers were real, and the passion and the ethusiasum was real. THAT is what Reality TV is all about. WHY? HOW? For The many out there who may not know much about how Steve began his Journey into Heaven, Let me briefe you. Steve was shooting one of his Famous Documentarys off the coast in the Great Barrier Reef. While filming this expedition, Our hero was swimming close to a cow ray. Typically, a non-aggressive species, the cow ray has in its tail a Serated ( jagged edged ) stinger/barb which it uses only as a self-defense mechanism. Had Steve been hit in the leg,arm,thigh etc. ..this would have turned out just to be what we consider..a " flesh wound " as many a Steve encountered. When Steve was " Stung " The barb pierced his heart, ultimately cause his death. It wasnt neccessarily the Ray itself that killed him...but Where he was hit. One theory is, that Irwin was swimming near the ray with the Camera man in front of the ray. The ray then felt trapped or cornored and " attacked " out of self-defense rather then aggression. Usually, after every mis-hap Irwin had he stated that " I blame the animal in no way if I am to be injured, I am in HIS domain, and I must play by his rules. ". I dont believe either the Sting ray or Steve is at fault here, but that this was a 1/1,000,000 accident. ..and Unfortunatly, The Beloved Conservationist was hit in the wrong place at the wrong time.. STEVE IRWIN AGAINST TERRORISM- I think we should remember Steve as a " defender " or Wildlife Warrior, of the animal kingdom. To much of the worlds wildlife, Humans ARE the terrorist...Not because of race or eligion etc..because regardless of these things..humans are destroying THEIR Habitat. Basicly, The World of Humans..are terrorists to the animal kingdom. However..there are those of us who realize the value of the wildlife as well as the envirnment..and Steve...as a Wildlife Warrior..was the best "Anti-terrorist" that the Animal Kingdom..and us Humans have ever seen..And even today and decades from now, will be remembered for his Advocacy for the World of Wildlife!
Born to Lyn and Bob Irwin in Essendon, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria on February 22nd, 1962! Irwin moved with his parents as a child to Queensland in 1970. Bob Irwin was a reptile enthusiast and when the family moved, Bob and Lyn Irwin started the small Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, where Steve grew up around crocodiles and other reptiles. Irwin became involved with the park in a number of ways, including taking part in daily animal feedings, as well as care and maintenance activities. On his sixth birthday he was given a scrub python. He began handling crocodiles at the age of nine, after his father had educated him on reptiles from an early age.[1] He became a crocodile trapper, removing crocodiles from near populated areas, performing the service for free with the quid pro quo that he kept them for the park. Irwin followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a volunteer for the Queensland Government's East Coast Crocodile Management program. [edit] Career [edit] Rise to fame The park was a family run business until it was turned over to Irwin in 1991. He took over the running of the park, now called Australia Zoo, and in 1992 met (at the park) and married Terri. The footage, shot by John Stainton, of their crocodile-trapping honeymoon became the first episode of The Crocodile Hunter, which became wildly successful in the United States and the UK. His exuberant and enthusiastic presenting style, broad Australian accent, constant wearing of khakis and catch-phrase "Crikey!" became known worldwide: The Crocodile Hunter aired in over 120 countries.[2] Under Irwin's expansive leadership, the operations grew to include the zoo, the television series, the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation, and International Crocodile Rescue. Improvements to the Australia Zoo include the Animal Planet Crocoseum, the rainforest aviary, and Tiger Temple. Irwin mentioned that he was considering opening an Australia Zoo in Las Vegas and possibly other sites around the world. [edit] Film In 2001, Irwin appeared in a cameo role in the Eddie Murphy film Dr. Dolittle 2. In 2002, his first and only feature film The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course was released. In general, reviews of this film were negative. Irwin portrayed himself, in addition to performing numerous stunts for the film. The film follows Irwin who mistakes some CIA agents for poachers. He sets out to stop them from capturing a crocodile, who, unknown to him, has actually swallowed a tracking drone. The film won the Best Family Feature Film award for a comedy film at the Young Artist Awards. The film was produced on a budget of about $12 million, and has grossed over $28 million (as of September 2006).[3] In 2003 Irwin was reportedly in line to host a chat show on Australian network television, a series that never went into production. [edit] Animal Planet Animal Planet released a "Crocodile Hunter" special called "Crocodiles & Controversy," which attempted to explain some incidents behind Irwin's controversies. This special argues that Irwin's son was never in danger of being eaten by the crocodile, and that Irwin could not have endangered animals in Antarctica. Animal Planet ended The Crocodile Hunter with a series finale entitled "Steve's Last Adventure." The last Crocodile Hunter documentary went for three emotional hours with footage of Irwin's across-the-world adventure, visiting locations like the Himalayas, the Yangtze River, Borneo, and the Kruger National Park. Irwin went on to star in other Animal Planet documentaries, including The Croc Files, The Crocodile Hunter Diaries, and New Breed Vets. [edit] Later projects Irwin feeding a crocodile at Australia Zoo.In January 2006 as part of Australia Week celebrations in the USA, Irwin appeared at the Pauley Pavilion, UCLA in Los Angeles, California. During an interview on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Irwin announced that Discovery Kids would be developing a show for his daughter, Bindi Sue.[4] The show, Jungle Girl, was tipped to be similar to The Wiggles movies, with songs that surround a story. A feature-length episode of Australian kids TV show The Wiggles entitled "Wiggly Safari" appears dedicated to Irwin, and he's featured in it heavily with his wife and daughter. The show includes the song "Crocodile Hunter, Big Steve Irwin". In 2006, the American network The Travel Channel had begun to show a series of specials starring Irwin and his family as they traveled on cross-country tours. Irwin was an open supporter of the conservative Liberal Party of Australia. In particular, he strongly supported the incumbent Prime Minister John Howard, describing him once as "the greatest leader Australia has ever had" and the "greatest leader in the entire world"; comments which drew a cynical reaction in the national media.[5] [edit] Media work A poster from Irwin's Quarantine Matters! campaign.Irwin was also involved in several media campaigns. He was employed by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service to promote Australia's strict quarantine/customs requirements, with advertisements and posters featuring slogans such as, "Quarantine Matters! Don't muck with it" [do not contravene its rules]. In 2004 he was appointed ambassador for The Ghan, an Adelaide to Darwin train that began operations in 2004. For some time he was sponsored by Toyota, in keeping with his rugged outback image.[6] He was also a keen promoter for Australian tourism in general and Queensland tourism in particular. In 2002 the Australia Zoo was voted Queensland's top tourist attraction.[7] His immense popularity in the US meant he often promoted Australia as a tourist destination there.[8] [edit] Honours In 2001 Irwin was awarded the Centenary Medal for his "service to global conservation and to Australian tourism".[9] In 2004 he was recognised as Tourism Export of the Year.[10] Also in 2004, he was nominated for Australian of the Year, which was won by Steve Waugh. Doubts were cast over his nomination when the "baby Bob" incident occurred in January that year.[11] [edit] Environmentalism Irwin was a passionate conservationist and believed in promoting environmentalism by sharing his excitement about the natural world rather than preaching to people. He was concerned with conservation of endangered animals and land clearing leading to loss of habitat. He considered conservation to be the most important part of his work: "I consider myself a wild-life warrior. My mission is to save the world's endangered species."[7] Irwin bought "large tracts of land" in Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the United States, which he described as "like national parks" and stressed the importance of people realising that they could each make a difference.[12] He had urged people to take part in considerate tourism and not support illegal poaching through the purchase of items such as turtle shells, or shark-fin soup: These Hitlers use the camouflage of science to make money out of animals... So whenever they murder our animals and call it sustainable use, I'll fight it. Since when has killing a wild animal, eating it or wearing it, ever saved a species? There are people who butt out their cigarettes in gorilla-paw ashtrays, with wastepaper baskets that were once elephant feet, who have ivory ornaments€ who wear cheetah fur. Don't buy these things! Then there'll be no market and the animals won't be killed. We have domesticated livestock raised for consumption and perfectly good fake leather and fur, so why must we kill wild animals to satisfy the macabre taste of some rich person?[13] He founded the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation, which was later renamed Wildlife Warriors Worldwide, and became an independent charity. He was described after his death by the CEO of RSPCA Queensland as a "modern-day Noah", and British naturalist David Bellamy lauded his skills as a natural historian and media performer.[14] Irwin discovered a new species of turtle that now bears his name, Elseya irwini €&rdquo ; Irwin's Turtle €&rdquo ; a type of snapping turtle found on the coast of Queensland. [15] He also helped to found a number of other projects, such as the International Crocodile Rescue, as well as the Lyn Irwin Memorial Fund, in memory of his mother, with proceeds going to the Iron Bark Station Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. [edit] Media image Irwin cultivated an image as an "Aussie larrikin", making liberal use of Australian slang (such as his catchcry, "Crikey!") in a very broad Australian accent. His unabashed enthusiasm for dangerous animals and childlike energy sometimes made him appear simple, which initially drew some criticism at home. He expressed disappointment at times for media criticism, believing he was being targeted due to a cultural cringe.[16] Regardless of local opinion, his media personage was very popular worldwide but especially in the U.S., akin to another great international Australian success €&rdquo ; Paul Hogan as "Crocodile Dundee" in the 1980s.[8] His friends and family often reported that he was to them as he was to the rest of the world €&rdquo ; larger than life.[17] Due to his memorable persona, numerous parodies of Irwin exist, including appearances in Irregular Webcomic!, The Basil Brush Show, It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, the Flash cartoon On The Moon, The Simpsons, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Bumfights, the webcomic PvP, and an episode of South Park episode, among others. [edit] Personal life [edit] Family In 1992, Irwin married Terri Raines from Eugene, Oregon, in the United States. The pair had met a few months earlier when Terri had visited the zoo on a holiday. Together they had two children: a daughter, Bindi Sue Irwin (born 24 July 1998), and a son, Robert Clarence "Bob" Irwin (born 1 December 2003). Bindi Sue is jointly named after two of Steve's favourite animals: Bindi, a saltwater crocodile, and Sui, a dog that died in June 2004. Irwin was as enthusiastic about his family as he was about his work. He once described his daughter Bindi as "the reason he was put on the Earth". His wife Terri once said, "The only thing that could ever keep him away from the animals he loves are the people he loves even more."[18] [edit] Controversy Major controversy arose during a public show on 2 January 2004, when Irwin carried his infant son, Bob, in one arm while feeding a chicken carcass to a crocodile with the other hand. The infant was close to the crocodile, and comparisons were made in the press to Michael Jackson's dangling of his son outside a German hotel window. In addition, child welfare groups, animal rights groups, and many of Irwin's television viewers criticised his actions as being irresponsible and tantamount to child abuse. [1] Irwin claimed that any danger to his son was only a perceived danger and that he was in complete control of the situation, and consistently refused to apologise for his actions despite considerable public outcry both in Australia and abroad. His defenders pointed to his many decades of hands-on experience and direct interaction with crocodiles, as well as his well-known devotion to his responsibilities as a father. Terri Irwin claimed that their child was in no more real danger than a child being taught to swim would be. No charges were filed (although the police did visit Irwin at his home and advised him not to repeat the incident).[19] The incident prompted the Queensland government to change its crocodile-handling laws, banning children and untrained adults from entering crocodile enclosures.[20] In June 2004, allegations were made that he came too close to and disturbed some wildlife (namely whales, seals and penguins) while filming a documentary, Ice Breaker, in Antarctica.[21] Subsequently, the matter was closed without charges being filed.[22] [edit] Death Shortly after 11:00 am local time on 4 September 2006, Irwin was fatally pierced in the chest by a short-tail stingray barb while diving in Queensland's Batt Reef, which is part of the Great Barrier Reef. The events were caught on camera and the footage is now in the possession of Queensland Police.[23] Irwin was in the area filming his own documentary, to be called The Ocean's Deadliest, but weather had stalled filming. Irwin decided to take the opportunity to film some shallow water shots for a segment in the television program his daughter Bindi was hosting,[24] when, according to his friend and colleague John Stainton, he swam too close to one of the animals. "He came on top of the stingray and the stingray's barb went up and into his chest and put a hole into his heart," said Stainton, who was on board Irwin's boat at the time. After reviewing the footage of the incident and speaking to the cameraman who recorded it, marine documentary filmmaker and fisherman Ben Cropp speculated that the stingray "felt threatened because Steve was alongside and there was the cameraman ahead..."[23] In such a case, the stingray responds by automatically flexing the serrated barb on its tail up to a maximum of 25 cm (10 in) of length. "He came over the top of a stingray that was buried in the sand, and the barb came up and hit him in the chest," Stainton said. Cropp said Irwin had accidentally boxed the animal in. "It stopped and twisted and threw up its tail with the spike, and it caught him in the chest. It's a defensive thing. It's like being stabbed with a dirty dagger." The Bull Ray that stung Irwin was "a one-in-a-million thing," Cropp told Time magazine. "I have swum with many rays, and I have only had one do that to me."[25] In this case, the motion struck Irwin's chest and pierced his heart.[23] This was only the third known fatality in Australian history from a stingray attack, only 17 worldwide fatalities have taken place since 1996, and it is believed to be the only fatal attack ever captured on film.[26] Crewmembers aboard his boat called emergency services in the nearest city of Cairns and administered CPR as they rushed the boat to nearby Low Isle to meet a rescue helicopter. Medical staff pronounced Irwin dead when they arrived a short time later.[27] The barb lodged in his chest and the toxins of the barb caused Irwin to die of cardiac arrest.[28] [edit] Reaction The Queensland Police Service notified his family and released a statement for the media concerning his death.[29] News of his death prompted a public outpouring expressing shock and loss. Several Australian news websites went down because of high web traffic[30] and talk-back radio experienced a high volume of callers expressing their grief,[31] commemorating his passion and exuberance. Australian Prime Minister John Howard, among many other politicians, expressed his "shock and distress" at the death, saying that "Australia has lost a wonderful and colourful son."[32] Irwin's body was flown to a morgue in Cairns,[33] where stunned family and friends were gathering on Monday night. His wife Terri was informed of her husband's death while on a walking tour in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania, and returned via private plane from Devonport to the Sunshine Coast with their two children.[23] Queensland Premier Peter Beattie commented (in an interview shown on television) that Steve Irwin was a lovely person and a great ambassador for Queensland and Australia. The U.S. feed of the Animal Planet cable television channel premiered a special tribute to Steve Irwin at 6:00 pm EST on Monday, 4 September 2006. The president of the Discovery Network, Billy Campbell, released a statement, saying:[34] Our entire company is deeply saddened by the tragic and sudden loss of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. Steve was beloved by millions of fans and animal lovers around the world and was one of our planet's most passionate conservationists. He has graced our air since October 1996 and was essential in building Animal Planet into a global brand. The Animal Planet will rename the garden space in front of Discovery's world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, to the "Steve Irwin Memorial Sensory Garden." They are also looking at the creation of the Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter Fund, which they will call "The Crikey Fund" which will "allow people from across the globe to make contributions in Steve's honour to support wildlife protection, education and conservation."[34] [edit] Trivia Irwin was a great fan of the Singapore Zoo, which he considered a sister institution of the Australia Zoo.[35] Irwin loved mixed martial arts competitions and trained with Greg Jackson in the fighting/grappling system of Gaidojutsu. Irwin appeared in a 2006 ESPN television commercial in their This is SportsCenter series. In the commercial, he wrestled Albert E. Gator, the University of Florida's mascot, to the ground in an ESPN studio hallway. In 2004, during an interview with Larry King, he admitted that after receiving many painful bites he had a fear of parrots.[18] Irwin was a fan of the Essendon Bombers in the Australian Football League, Essendon being where he grew up as a child. Irwin made several appearances with players and was part of an Australian rules football promotion in Los Angeles as part of Australia week in early 2006.[36][37] [edit] References ^ "Biography: Steve Irwin", The Australian, News Limited, 04 September 2006. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ Lee, Sandra, "Wild Thing", USA Weekend Magazine, 2000-06-18. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ The Crocodile Hunter:Collision Course. Box Office Mojo. Box Office Mojo, LLC. Retrieved on 4 September, 2006. ^ The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, 13 January 2006. ^ Devine, Miranda, "Crikey! Praise for PM puts you in a snake pit", The Sun-Herald, 2003-11-09. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ Google cache copy of a Toyota Australia page: Crikey! Steve Irwin loves his Toyotas! ^ a b King Murdoch, Anna, "He's smart, by crikey", The Age, The Age Company Ltd, 10 June 2003. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ a b Elliot, Geoff, "Keep it simple, mate", The Australian, News Limited, 27 January 2006.Copy at www.australianmade.com.au ^ www.itsanhonour.gov.au ^ Crocodile Hunter: Croc Hunter Wins Top Export Gong, copy of Sunshine Coast Daily article, originally published 10th December, 2004. ^ "Irwin defends stunt", Sydney Morning Herald, 2004-01-06. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ Denton, Andrew; Irvine, Steve (2003-10-06). ENOUGH ROPE with Andrew Denton - episode 30: Steve Irwin. ABC. Retrieved on 4 September, 2006. ^ Wildlife Warriors: In the Media 2006, copy of an article from Australian Women's Weekly, August 2006. ^ Tait, Paul (2006-09-04). Australia stunned by death of "modern-day Noah". Reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved on 4 September, 2006. ^ Elseya irwini. Australian Faunal Directory. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved on 4 September, 2006. ^ Tourelle, Greg (2006-09-04). Cultural cringe irked Irwin. stuff.co.nz. Fairfax New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved on 4 September, 2006. ^ Crowe, Russell; Irwin, Steve (2003-09-22). Australian Story What Lies Beneath Transcript. ABC. Retrieved on 4 September, 2006. ^ a b King, Larry; Irvine, Steve (2004-11-25). LARRY KING LIVE Interview With Steve Irwin. CNN. Cable News Network LP, LLLP. Retrieved on 4 September, 2006. ^ O'Rourke, Claire, "Croc hunter ducks for cover", Sydney Morning Herald, 2004-01-05. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ "Steve Irwin baby concerns prompt law change", Sydney Morning Herald, 2005-02-24. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ Middleton, Karen, "Crocodile Hunter's frolic with whales gets frosty reception", Sydney Morning Herald, 2004-06-14. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ "Irwin cleared after Penguin Probe", BBC News, 2004-06-15. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ a b c d Gerard, Ian; and Koch, Tony, "Steve Irwin's freak death filmed", The Australian, 2006-09-04. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ "Croc Hunter Irwin killed by stingray", THE AGE, 2006-09-04. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ "'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin dead", CNN, 2006-09-04. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ "Stingray Deaths Rare and Agonizing", CNN.com, Reuters, 2006-09-04. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ "Stingray kills 'Crocodile Hunter'", USA Today, Associated Press, 2006-09-04. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ Collins, Glenn, "Stingray Attack Kills Australia Crocodile Hunter", The New York Times, 2006-09-04. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ Queensland Police Service, Media and Public Affairs Branch (4 September 2006). Australian wildlife personality Steve Irwin has died. Press release. ^ Richards, David, "Smart Office News: Steve Irwin Not The Only One To Die", 4 September 2006. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ Fidler, Richard, "Tributes flow for Steve Irwin", 612 ABC radio, 2006-09-04. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ "Irwin brought joy to millions: PM", The Australian, 2006-09-04. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ "Crocodile Hunter's Steve Irwin dies at 44", Spero News, 2006-09-04. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ a b Discovery Communications (September 4, 2006). Discovery Communications, Inc. Mourns Tragic Loss of Steve Irwin. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-09-04. ^ Singapore Sling!. International Crocodile Rescue. Retrieved on 16 March 2006. ^ http://www.australia-week.com/page/AFLMatchSteveIrwinShow ^
""My Daddy was my hero - he was always there for me when I needed him. "He listened to me and taught me so many things but most of all he was fun. "I know that daddy had an important job. He was working to change the world so everyone would love wildlife like he did. "He built a hospital to help animals and he bought lots of land to give animals a safe place to live. "He took me and my brother and my mum with him all the time. We filmed together, caught crocodiles together and loved being in the bush together. "I don't want daddy's passion to ever end. "I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did. "I have the best daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day. "When I see a crocodile I will always think of him and I know that daddy made this zoo so everyone could come and learn to love all the animals. "Daddy made this place his whole life and now it's our turn to help daddy." Bindi's Poem to her DADDY
My wildlife Zoo, the great outdoors, spending time with my children. Terri's favorite animal is a cougar."I've lost my prince ... We can understand the grief, and we can live with the grief. But we will not be victims of this grief. We will be wildlife warriors like Steve Irwin."About Steve's love for Terri: "For all his love of animals, Irwin’s first duty was to his US-born wife, Terri Raines, who appeared by his side from the very first episode of the Crocodile Hunter."Terri Irwin, on love at first sight: "I think because he's the first guy I met that I couldn't chase with a snake. He wasn't scared. It was very attractive. So I met Steve way back in 1991 when I went to Australia Zoo as an innocent tourist coming to Australia, visiting the country, went in and there's this guy in this zoo doing a crocodile demonstration talking about crocs the way I'd never heard before, you know like they're, they're really passionate lovers, wonderful mothers, and he desperately loved crocodiles. And I thought, what is with this guy? And then as he bent over to pick up some food for the croc, I went, what is with this guy? And when I came to Australia and met Steve, here was this like reptile man meets mammal woman, and it was fantastic. We just fell desperately in love.""And I'll make Australia Zoo bigger. I'll make it bigger... because I promised."