http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20349993-5001021,00.html

A sad loss, but he took his fair share of chances with wildlife.

As sad as the news is,It was only a matter of time before his luck would run out,I'm sure he knew it would eventually.

I always thought so!! But not from a Stingray!!

That's too bad. :( His shows were entertaining. I would have figured a snake or croc would have gotten him though.

Through his chest piercing his heart :(

I've filmed enormous sting rays off of Block Island and as close as Stinky Beach right next to Scarborough Beach. Sting rays found locally can be up to five feet wide and have up to three spines on their tail; each one like a saw with as many as 40 edges. It’s no wonder Steve died instantly, it was like being stabbed with a bayonet dipped in poison.

I can’t believe Steve swam over the bloody ray. It’s one thing to be next to a ray or even in front of it, but never swim over one on purpose.

Two years ago I did extensive filming of a torpedo ray off of Jamestown, RI. If you ever land one of these paddle tailed rays with a very thick body, by all means, do not grab it…they can throw a 220 volt charge up to 8 feet away from their body. Torpedo rays have been suspected of accidentally killing divers by shocking them enough to cause problems with breathing. Needless to say, I approached the electric ray with caution…obviously I didn’t want him to fry my video camera.

Here’s a very large sting ray I filmed off Jupiter, Florida this July. The tail was nearly 10 feet long and although I swam straight at it to get one of the shots below, I definitely avoided going over it. Although I didn’t have to worry about being electrocuted by this ray the violent lightning storm that hit while was in the water was another matter.

If you catch a big ray just cut the line.

Mike....about 6 years ago I was on the big jetty East end of the CC Canal and saw a huge one go by close to the rocks heading east.... it must have been 4 to 6 ft. across....a medium gray color on top... graceful.

What type would that have been?

Be careful out there...

This should make us re-assess the risks we take on and in the water. Sometimes it's a thin line between a routine activity and tragedy.

44 is way to young, RIP

And with a young son at home.....I thought he was a jack-ass but still I feel for the one he leaves behind!

Ya thats sad news.First thing I thouht of where the wife an kids.
She is american from oregon.
I didn't know stingrays could do that.
I stay away from all them things with long tails.

I've always thought of Steve Irwin as a fearless outdoorsman. RIP.

i almost became a herpotoligist, that really sad to here! even worse that he leave 2 children behind

CROIKY!!!! that is sad...R.I.P. to a true nut....I enjoyed his adventures

And with a young son at home.....I thought he was a jack-ass but still I feel for the one he leaves behind!

Larry the J/A thing is just F'd up.

Oh I am sorry...everyone grab your infant children and dangle them in front of a dangerous meat eating reptile!:smash:

At least the Jacko-ass Michael Jackson only dangled his infant son off a balcony!

Not everyone is smart enough not to dangle a child in the mouth of a huge croc. :)

I really liked his show it was entertaining. Any show that promotes awareness in nature is a step in the right direction. My favorite episode was the one that he swam with the whale shark. RIP

It amazes me that every news report on his death has to revert to the baby and the crocodile thing, as if it lessens the good work he did.

R.I.P.

I may not agree w/ what Steve did, but I do believe that he was a good guy and that no one should talk badly about him. I think he was an amazing mentor educating people about creatures that most fear and his hard work will stay w/ us for a long time.... R.I.P.

Go to Youtube and watch his ESPN clip, Pretty funny

What a guy and he is surely missed by those who met him and watched his programs. Rest Steve.
We swam with the stingrays at "stingray city" off the Grand Caymans; very cool and we felt very safe. The barb was shown to us on one and it looked like a black pencil with a very sharp point. We hand fed the squid and had them flocking all over us. Never felt in danger and saw no aggressive behavior from them. Who knew.

Tom

I've filmed enormous sting rays off of Block Island and as close as Stinky Beach right next to Scarborough Beach. Sting rays found locally can be up to five feet wide and have up to three spines on their tail; each one like a saw with as many as 40 edges. It’s no wonder Steve died instantly, it was like being stabbed with a bayonet dipped in poison.

I can’t believe Steve swam over the bloody ray. It’s one thing to be next to a ray or even in front of it, but never swim over one on purpose.

Two years ago I did extensive filming of a torpedo ray off of Jamestown, RI. If you ever land one of these paddle tailed rays with a very thick body, by all means, do not grab it…they can throw a 220 volt charge up to 8 feet away from their body. Torpedo rays have been suspected of accidentally killing divers by shocking them enough to cause problems with breathing. Needless to say, I approached the electric ray with caution…obviously I didn’t want him to fry my video camera.

Here’s a very large sting ray I filmed off Jupiter, Florida this July. The tail was nearly 10 feet long and although I swam straight at it to get one of the shots below, I definitely avoided going over it. Although I didn’t have to worry about being electrocuted by this ray the violent lightning storm that hit while was in the water was another matter.

If you catch a big ray just cut the line.


I got zapped by one of those south of MV back in my gill-netting days through rubber gloves. It scared the crap out of me.