Steve Irwin died filming a documentary, when a stingray's (toxin loaded) barb pierced his chest. He has a wife Terri, and two young children Bindi Sue, 8, and son Bob, who's not quite 3. I know his father is alive, I'm not sure about his mother. What grief they all must feel.

I felt so sad and shocked to hear this news. Such a tragedy, such an enthusiatic man doing so much good has left this world. And the world will be less because he is gone. From all I've heard, he was a conservationist in his own league, bought up lots of land in Australia for that purpose. His family, dear friends, and the wildlife in his country have lost their brightest 'light'.

He died doing what he loved - and that in my heart is not the tragedy, but how many more years he could have been here for the people and animals he loved, and who loved him, what a terrible loss, what a tragedy.

This documentary he was filming, he didn't have to do...but chose to for all of us, to try and teach all of us who would watch it. I wish the best to his family and friends and all the creatures in Australia and the world, cause he loved them all. His enthusiasm and joy and love of the environment was fantastically infectious.

Steve, you enriched our lives many times over - I often saw much of your wildlife enthusiasm reflected in my son. I'd daydream that he would be as happy and fulfilled in his life someday, as you were in yours.

Bye Steve.

I echo your sentiments Mili, its a great loss to us all. We can just hope that he didn't suffer that much and that it was quick. I feel so trerrible for his family.

It was said that the toxins from the stingray likely killed him very quickly, so he probably didn't suffer long, if at all. We can only hope.


So sad...


LIZARD

I heard this in the wee hours of the morning over on SL. It is very sad. He did have a tremendous amount of enthusiasm.

I was told there'd be a rerun of an interview tonight with him, on CNN.

For being only one person, he's made such an impact on the world. He was like the Martin Luther King of Croc's or animals or something. People like that are so very rare.

There were a few times over the years, in my darkest hours with Vincent, and worrying about what would become of him when I leave the earth someday, I actually considered writing he and his wife, explaining our situation, explaining our passion for animals and environment, and seeing if they'd consider helping us by giving us jobs there...cause that's something I believed then and now Vince could be successful at doing the rest of his life. And even have gifts for it others might not.

So, despite not even knowing him, he and his wife made a large impact on me. Just one person touched so many, people and animals...all the good he did. I actually feel a sense of loss, I can't begin to imagine how his family and friends feel. He was one of a kind.

I wrote a poem about Steve last night and put up a Tribute Page to him along with a interactive Memorial Wall. I feel so sad for his family and though it's not much, I felt strongly enough that doing this was my salute to a man who I respected and admired. I wanted to share this with my friends here, so if you're moved to leave a message please feel free to do so. That is what the Memorial Wall is for. For fans of his work and shows to share their grieving together.

Pam, that is so darn nice. The wall, the poem, the place you created to add good bye comments. Mine was that 'There'll never be another Steve Irwin, you'll be sorely missed'.

I held it together, kept telling myself I shouldn't be so upset cause afterall, it's not like I 'know' him. Then last night I saw a previous film of his little daughter jumping into his arms, big smile on her face, and man I just lost it.

It's just such a loss for his family, as it is for all families to lose a loved one of course. In addition with his loss though, many lives...human and animal, will have and be less. At least to me, he was so much more than an entertainer. Educator, advocate, warrior for all that was natural or earthly of God given.

Lovely beautiful beautiful beautiful thing you did with your poem and Tribute Page. I was starting to feel like the fan taking it hard...and felt and feel strange that I feel SO bad. But, he was such a champion for so many, it is a huge loss. Just chokes me up.

Thank you Mili, it really comforted me to make the page and the Memorial Wall and I hope it helps other people feel somewhat comforted to know that they are heard and not suffering alone. I don't think we're going to get over this for awhile. Mostly because Steve was such a decent and kind man, that we (anyone who loved his shows and admired him and his wife) really felt like he was a part of our lives.

He touched us on such deep levels, it's not going to be easy to watch Animal Planet or to see old reruns of his shows. But if he's on I will watch it because I know there are many of his shows I didn't see yet. I wanted to do something special for a memorial dedicated to him and I think I succeeded. Thank you for the kind words about the poem and the pages Mili, it meant a lot to me to know you appreciated them. *hug*

And how...I very much appreciated and enjoyed what you did.

I felt it was in very bad taste when the other day, Animal Planet showed the show in the artic that caused trouble for him, and I've seen the 'Baby Bob' reruns over and over. I felt it was a slap in the face to his wife, as well as other loved ones. Just in such bad judgement, taste, and also such a lack of decency. Goodness knows how many shows he's done, I keep seeing the two he had trouble over getting air time. But, I guess that's the rotten world we have, and a big part of the reason why his death is such a loss to so many. He's not that kind of person...too busy trying to live well and help creatures than slam others.

I'm not sure if I said it in my other post, but I just loved the picture you chose of him with the Koala on his shoulder, with that 'look' he has in his eyes.

I think the photo is a great one of him too Mili, I chose it specifically because of that look in his eyes, so alive and vibrant. I am glad I missed that on Animal Planet, I would have not appreciated it either. I found another fitting tribute page. This one is different, it's a guestbook that that site owner will be printing up and making a book out of and sending it to Terri and Steve's father and the people of Australia Zoo:

http://www.remembersteve.com/

Thanks for posting what you did Mili, I am really glad you got the same feeling from that photo that I got when I first saw it. I just knew that it was THE one to use.