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After yesterday's news that Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin had died off an Australian coast while filming a segment for a series on oceanlife, it now turns out that his death was caught on film. Irwin's official cause of death was a heart attack, but it was a heart attack caused by being stabbed through the heart by stingray's poisonous barb. Authorities have reviewed the tape and said that there "was no evidence [Irwin] provoked the animal" - which is what many people had been speculating about, since stingrays generally do not attack (they just scurry away). At any rate, we imagine the authorities and Irwin's associates will destroy the tape - if that got into the wrong hands...
The NY Times obituary on Irwin calls him a "Wildlife Master" and an "ebuillant staple of American talk shows," and includes some insight from Dr. Leo Smith, "expert on venomous fishes in the department of ichthyology at the American Museum of Natural History" (Smith was featured in the Times' Science section last week, in the article on all sorts of venomous fishes).
[A]lthough Mr. Irwin had no scientific degree and some scientists criticized his theatrics and hyperbole, “he could be considered a biologist rather than just a television personality.”It is sad, because he did try to make nature more relatable, if in a very unconventional manner. The Australian government clearly views him as a hero, as they are offering a state funeral for Irwin if his family wishes for one.“He was knowledgeable and seemed to care passionately about wildlife,” Dr. Smith said. “He took a very outgoing approach that made people less fearful of sharks and other mean things out there.”
Mr. Irwin’s death, he said, “is depressing because the last thing you want is for the guy who says things are safe to be killed.”
And our readers are certainly divided about whether he did good or harm for the enivornment.
Photograph of a child signing one of Irwin's signature khaki shirts at his Australia Zoo by Steve Holland/AP
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How is this coverage of New York again. Death pervs.
Your readers are idiots
Look if you guys have a problem with hearing the information about it then STOP LOOKING AT IT. Jeez. Some of us can't get the information like you can.
I wonder what Leno will say about his death. Last night's show was a rerun. I imagine that he'll have some heartfelt words to say about his death.
I do hope that that tape never, ever gets out. It's Grizzly Man of the sea, I fear. :[
i heard that the damage occured when he took the barb *out* and it tore a gaping wound. does anyone know if he would have lived if he left it in and sought medical attention? (like how with some knife wounds the worst thing you can do is pull the knife out...)
doubtful, but i am just wondering...
The news is everywhere...and this has nothing to do with NY, genius.
"Videotape of Steve Irwin's last moments shows him pulling a poisonous stingray barb from his chest..."
Now that takes balls.
You don't have access to a computer with internet?
Ria, what on earth are you talking about - this was front-page news on every tab - it's currently the top story on CNN and BBC both on TV and online - radio, local TV, you name it, it's the top story. If you "can't get the information" from anywhere other than Gothamist, well, I just don't know what to say - is Jen your only available source for news? That's sad and wrong and I think she would agree.
Gothamist used to be about NYC and shouldn't have to bother itself with this kinda stuff. But I guess they got lazy or too fascinated with this guy's death over the weekend.
Look if you have a problem with us making comments criticizing a beloved New York blog posting NYC-irrelevant stories that are plastered all over the front pages of Yahoo, MSN, CNN, AP, BBC, etc etc etc, then STOP LOOKING AT OUR COMMENTS. Jeez. Some of us can't get enough information about New York like you can.
Here, here. And I thought the quote from AMNH's Dr. Smith was interesting.
It seems like most of the people criticizing Irwin on the previous posts are trollers anyway...
Don't know if I've already said this, but I've always liked Steve because he reminds us that all animals are worth respecting and conserving - not just those who are cute and furry. He also helped relocate animals who were in danger and raised millions for animal charities. He was cool.
As sad as this is... I did get a kick out of this picture:
http://proctex.imagehostadvisory.com/wtc-steveirwin.jpg
I already know I'm going to hell. You don't have to remind me. Jeaz...
Kojak:
I sincerely hope that no one you care for ever dies in a horrible, freak accident. You clearly do not have the brain capacity to handle it. Why is mocking a tragic death funny to you? Are you really that emotionally stunted? If so, please seek the help of a qualified therapist.
This man brought happiness and joy to millions. What did you ever do?
"This man brought happiness and joy to millions."
No. What he has accomplished is far beyond mere entertainment value, which seems to be the only thing you’re focused on. He didn’t do it for us you selfish prick, he did it for the animals god dammit. For the ANIMALS.
"What did you ever do?"
More then you could possibly imagine.
I think steve irwin is silly... its cool how he got killed though that would be a nice way to die, and anyway he deserved it for waving his baby over a crocidile...
"No. What he has accomplished is far beyond mere entertainment value, which seems to be the only thing you’re focused on. He didn’t do it for us you selfish prick, he did it for the animals god dammit. For the ANIMALS."
What? This does not even make sense. Is it supposed to be funny as well? Honestly, it would be one thing if you had some sort of racy, dark humor. But you don't. You are just obnoxious, without being funny. There is a difference. (Yes, yes I realize I am just feeding a troll right now, but come on!)
"More then you could possibly imagine."
Oh, I'll bet. You mean when your not spending your time mocking someone's sad death or making other rude comments? I see.
The guy was an entertainer first, animal guy second.
Did anyone see the repeat of Larry King last night?
The guy's nuttier than a squirrel in the fall.
Thank's to fay evelyn schlob dumbly devay cochran for that last paraphrase.
Yeah yeah your right its's jsut that i cant really control the kinda stuff but things for telling me up dude.
" heard that the damage occured when he took the barb *out* and it tore a gaping wound. does anyone know if he would have lived if he left it in and sought medical attention? (like how with some knife wounds the worst thing you can do is pull the knife out...)"
I think the venom injected directly into his bloodstream would have killed him (it's not the most toxic or even deadly but any toxin put right into the heart is very bad). I would assume he knew this and was trying to save himself from the toxin, not knowing what a bad idea it was to expose his gaping chest wound.
"What? This does not even make sense."
It makes perfect sense. He used his star power to help fund his conservation effort. He really DID do it to help protect wildlife and to make people more aware of the natural world.
Are you really outraged? Trolling is always more fun when there are overly sensitive people online that react to the slightest bit of cruel humor.
............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Kojak,
I'm not nearly as smart as you so I can't possibly imagine. Please let us all bask in your creative, unique-snowflake appeal and make a list (with verification to websites, pix, etc.) of all of the incredible things you've done with your remarkable life.
For the love of god, CALM DOWN, children. I see a lot of passionate fights about a guy none of you even know, and by the way, he lives (lived) in Australia, possibly the furthest away from NYC you can get.
Ain't that right.
I can't understand why North Americans are so passionate about this???????
It's quite odd because even the Canadians love this guy and are defending him like he's one of their own. in other words a "hero".
Props to WINGS, I love that show, everyone except for Alex Lambert. The one with Tyne Daly was friggin hilarious.
You tell em' Kojak!
Seriously, leave Kojak alone...he already stated that he is going straight to Hell. Isn't that enough?
Peace in the middle east Yo!
Just let him R.I.P!!!!!!
i lkived in australia 10 years
its a land of dangrous animals
i think that his confidence was definately his greatest mistake,
even i lost the fear of deadly snakes after seeing them so many times around the house
steve irwin was a kool dude