1. How very sad, he was such a great advocate for marine life, he will be missed. God's speed, Steve.

Posted at 1:21PM on Sep 4th 2006 by Wendy

2. I know they are basically tame there, but I was in Cayman just last month at Stingray City and it's easy to forget how dangerous stingrays can be.

Posted at 9:29PM on Sep 4th 2006 by David

3. I was a huge fan of Steve Irwin. He was very lively and energetic about animals and wildlife. I loved how he cared and loved his family as well as brought them into his work regarding animals. I was very saddened by the news and shocked about his death. He will be surly missed and may God bless his soul and his family through this time of saddness.

Posted at 12:53AM on Sep 5th 2006 by Teresa Glover

4. I WAS VERY SORRY TO HEAR WHAT HAPPENED. GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY.

Posted at 1:54AM on Sep 5th 2006 by judy ann

5. I still can't figure out how it happened... A stingray's barb is at the base of their tail, not the tip, and has no force, so it's not like a stingray could just decide to attack you with it's barb. it lays almost flat against the tail, so the only way to get impaled on it would be for the stingray to be swimming backwards at high speed.

When they are in fear for their life, the barb stands up vertically.. like a drawbridge, not like a switchblade. Stingray's predators are mainly sharks, who swim up and bite them. the barb pops up, the shark gets it in the roof of the mouth and hopefully opens his mouth again to try and get rid of the ouch and the stingray swims off at mach 2.

99.99% of human stingray injuries are to the foot when someone accidentally steps on one as it's sleeping in shallow water (i made that number up, btw)

The only person I know of who's been 'stung' by a stingray is my old roommate, who got pushed over by two large cruise ship passengers at Stingray City Sandbar last week. He fell on top of the Stingray he was holding and when he landed on the ray, it got scared, stood it's barb up on end and my buddy took it in the right thigh.

The only way for the stingray's barb to pierce your skin (and presumably a wetsuit in Steve Irwin's case) is for your own weight to be pushing down against the barb; it's a passive defense mechanism. Since you should be neutrally buoyant while under water, I can't seem to figure out how this phenomenally unlucky incident happened.

Posted at 11:37AM on Sep 5th 2006 by Mark

6. It is so sad to hear and realise we lost a person who is passionate, enthusiasm of life to protect wildlife. We are all affected ,the world especially the children because He has a heart of a child who loves animal.God bless Steve and his family too in this difficult moment of time.

Posted at 11:57AM on Sep 5th 2006 by Remy Smith

7. Im in marks' camp, too strange Ive been around many rays/sharks over the years and always knew enough to give them plenty of room to move if they get spooked!! I would never swim over the top of a sting ray unless I was well above it/them (out of harms way) Im not sure if steve was on scuba I thought he was snorkling.

again thhis bull rays barb was about 8+- inches long the tail can flex a few more , was he trying to wrestle it like a croc? also rays try and swim forward when provoked and not up to the prevoker.

yes this is a sad event as are all deaths esp like this or any other tragedy Our troops ...

I personaly thing the TV reality animal experience has gone too far. Steve irwin I hear was always a daredevil with his critters but the media should be more resposibl. Most animal shows years ago were 90% educational with minimal disruption of the animals teritory now its lets grab and fondle this creature and point out that one bite and im a goner!! "write that Check Please"

I enjoed the shows when the folks in the spotlight were actual scientists or serious researchers/behavoirists.

harry butler of pbs comes to mind.

again my heart goes out to steve irwins family.

"John"

Posted at 11:20AM on Sep 8th 2006 by John

8. The untimely passing of Steve Irwin is a great tragedy. This has effected my family more than I could have imagined; he has been a great influence on myself and my two boys. The world will never be the same. In the past, I have dealt with this type of emotional pain through music. Being a song writer and composer, I have written musical compositions and songs to honour friends, family, and fallen heroes to ease the pain and commemorate the contributions they've made in life. Steve falls under the obvious catagory of "HERO." Please accept and share with the world this musical tribute in honour of the great "CROCODILE HUNTER" Steve Irwin.. WE LOVE YOU STEVE!!!!



Sincerely:
David James

P.S. - You can visit me at: www.davidjamesmusic.net
and download the musical tribute "THE MIGHTY STEVE"

Posted at 4:16AM on Sep 11th 2006 by David James