[Lytspeed]

I was curious if any of our down under players could give us some perspective on how Australia is taking the death of Steve Irwin.

Over here in the States, there seems to be a genuine sadness, even though he was seen as kind of a lampoonable person for his "Crikey!" and "She's a beauty!" lines. A lot of people are really going to miss him.

[KPRS1]

Yea same in UK people loved the way he done his shows my boy whos 10 grew up watching him.

all in all tragic way to go i think australia will be taking it bad he was loved there croc diaries was started 14 years ago there.

Here you can have your tribute to him put up.

Your say: Tributes for Steve Irwin - Have your say on Stuff.co.nz

[Thinkerbell]

I am very sorry for the Irwin family and their loss. I'm sure they must be devastated. It was clear that he cared about animals and the environment, and used his celebrity status to help these causes.

Having said that, I also feel that he did take many, many huge chances. I hate to say something that will appear politically incorrect at this time of mourning, but we all remember the baby and the crocodile incident, right?

I have disagreed before with how much TV show hosts interact with wildlife on their programs. Whether it's chasing and catching snakes, or getting in the water with hippos or other marine life, I didn't like how it sometimes came down to practically harassing animals for entertainment value under the guise of "education". There were three freedivers/animal experts named Manny, Mark, and Megan who had a show called "Extreme Contact". I really disliked how they harassed marine life. I couldn't understand how any wild life biologist could do the stuff they did. And recently there was a show with some nut trying to get a pride of lions to accept him. That show disappeared pretty quickly--wonder if they lions accepted him as dinner one day?

I'm not saying Steve Irwin was as bad as these people, but the marine environment really wasn't his forte. As a diver, I keep a respectful distance from marine life. But I have witnessed other divers going after and getting extremely close to turtles or other animals just for the thrill of it. Sometimes you can't help coming face to face with one of the ocean's inhabitants. (My first shark encounter happened when the shark quit following the fish he was after, turned, and swam right up to me. We were nose to nose. He gave me a careful inspection before he continued on his way.) But people who push the envelope of safety and good judgement sometimes get hurt.

[Irongirl]

One of Steve Irwins friends (I think it was the dude who was with him when he died and actually videotaped it) said that if Steve was going to go it would be in the Ocean where he was out of his element. On land he could handle himself. The ocean added a demension that wasnt controllable.

Friends of mine are aussies (one is a transplant from the USA). Dean said the nation is in mourning. He may come across as almost lampoonable to us but the guy did care about the environment and endangered species and did alot for wildlife in Australia.

RIP Steve Irwin.

I swam with sting rays down in the Cayman Islands at Stingray City. We were told just to be careful and not to step on them. Apparently Stingray stings are rarely fatal. Irwin got barbed between the ribcage in what was a direct hit to his heart. That ray must have packed a wallop to pierce the skin. I didnt hear if he had a wetsuit on. My triatholon wetsuit is neoprene and not that thick but it is pretty tough to penetrate.