Statement from Billy Campbell, President, Discovery Networks, U.S. Discovery Communications, Inc.
Our entire company is deeply saddened by the tragic and sudden loss of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. Steve was beloved by millions of fans and animal lovers around the world and was one of our planet’s most passionate conservationists. He has graced our air since October 1996 and was essential in building Animal Planet into a global brand.
Steve was killed during a filming expedition on the Great Barrier Reef. While we are still collecting specific details, it was a rare accident in which Steve swam over a stingray and was stung by its barb in his chest. A doctor on board Croc One, Steve’s research vessel, was unable to resuscitate Steve and by the time he was reached by the rescue helicopter he had passed away.
DCI Founder and Chairman, John Hendricks said, “Steve was a larger than life force. He brought joy and learning about the natural world to millions and millions of people across the globe. He was a true friend to all of us at Discovery Communications. We extend our thoughts and prayers to Terri, Bindi and Bob Irwin as well as to the incredible staff and many friends Steve leaves behind.”
DCI CEO and President, Judith McHale said, “I don’t think we will ever get over the loss of Steve Irwin, a human being of enormous heart, irrepressible enthusiasm and dedication to everything he touched.”
Steve’s loss has been felt around the world, evident by the hundreds of heartfelt condolences that have already flooded into Steve’s fan site on AnimalPlanet.com.
To honor Steve and the enormous contribution he made to the world and to our company, DCI will rename the garden space in front of Discovery’s world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, the “Steve Irwin Memorial Sensory Garden.”
DCI is looking at the creation of the Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter Fund, which we’ll affectionately call “The Crikey Fund” to honor Steve’s passion and exuberance for conservation and the animal kingdom. This fund will allow people from across the globe to make contributions in Steve’s honor to support wildlife protection, education and conservation. The fund in addition to contributions by DCI will also aid Steve’s Australia Zoo in Breewah, Australia as well as educational support for Bindi and Bob Irwin.
Right now, our focus is on Terri and the children. We will keep you informed as plans unfold to pay tribute to our beloved Steve Irwin.
There are plenty of places for you to climb onto your soapbox and preach/lecture to others that are appropriate. This is not one of those places! Go find a thread on environmentalism and spew to your hearts content. Please reserve this space for those who have something positive to say about a man who did incredible things and enthralled a vast number of viewers and inspired many to at least pay attention to the issues of wildlife and wildlife habitat conservation. Also remember that, if you try, you can still be a GREENIE without becoming a WEENIE!
RIP, Steve and thank you for all you have done for wildlife conservation and habitat preservation.
**Many people may find your lack of a name or handle attached/associated with your attack diatribe to be gutless at best. I include myself in this group of people.
T Thorpe (nature lover and Conservationist)
Washington, DC, USA
I found steve irwin so annoying. that’s one less annoying person in the world.
GOD BLESS STEVE IRWIN AND HIS FAMLILY
i am still sobbing every day he was someone we all knew loved and cared about.
STEVE COME BACK
how could you die on me
sophie
If Steve could come back and just say one thing, it would be a question for all mankind: “Are we a part of nature or apart from nature? Choose soon.”
Thank you Steve.
I am forever greatful for your passion and enthusiasm in bringing animals into peoples heart. You work was vital to saving wildlife around the world. I loved watching you and learning about animals and the importance of saving their environment around them. Thank you for all your work. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family: Terri, Bindi and Bob and yours millions of fans.
Check out my piece about Steve-o at The Culturatti:
jagblog.wordpress.com
graeme
We’ve all shed tears!
But now we say cheers!
To the man we’ve grown up with on our telly!
And now i say here’s to the one and only croc man himself… Mr Steve Irwin
R.I.P
Some will remember him as the croc hunter.
Terri will remember him as her 1 true love!
Bindi and Bob will remember him as DAD!
But most of all he died doing what he loved doing the most, and we will alwalys remember him( how could we forget mr crikey) and we will always love and cherish the loving memories of
STEVE IRWIN.
R.I.P
1962-2006
We have lost 1 of our own!!
His name was Steve!
He had 2 kids and a loving wife!
Terri, Bindi and Bob
We all pray to god,
that the 3 that are left carry on his job.
We know he died doing what he loved the best.
So we all want him to be happy like the rest!
We love you Steve dont you ever forget!!!!
STEVE IRWIN
R.I.P
1962-2006
Many many regards to Terri, Bindi and Bob.
All our love goes to you.
Many Regards
Penny Jacobs
2006
My hero, my teacher. I was hoping to one day meet you. You showed me how beautiful reptiles are. Because of you, I’ve saved many from certain death from the hands of people who just want to destroy them. I will never forget you.
Maria
Thank you for all the contribution you made… to make wifelife interesting …for both adults and children alike.
because of you, kids love animals…
Ng
Singapore
How sad that we lost Steve Irwin, a conservationist that brought worldwide attention to nature and wildlife. How ironic that he looked like John Denver, another conservationist who, like Steve, bought thousands of acres of land just so the land mongers could not get their hands on it. They were both animal activists and land conservationists, and both left the Earth and us way too soon.
May God hold them close and give them peace.
Prayers go out to his wife and children.
Jo Smith
I never really understood why he would take such risk, other than the fact he loved what he did. Unfortunately he is gone. I would like to offer my sympathy for his family. The world has truly lost an vibrant and loving person. I dont think no one will ever be able to fill his shoes. There was only ONE Steve. He left a legacy that is unfadable and unforgettable. RIP
omg nooo hes not dead omg i loved him ugh……now i wont be able to see any new shows or movies…..RIP steve irwin
i guarutee the man has done more good than you and thats good enough for me, take your negativity somewhere else!
RIP Steve Irwin
My Mom taught me, if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything. If you didn’t agree with Steve Irwin, use other, positive ways to affect change but this is not the time or the place to attack the man. Very bad form. His wife and children are grieving, show some respect and consideration for them at least….
Joanna from Alabama, USA
I’ve always been interested in history, geography, and nature. Steve Irwin brought all of those things together. Even though i didnt watch his show regularly, i still respected him and his work. That ESPN commercial with Steve Irwin cracked me up if u ever saw it. Rest In Peace Mr. Irwin. May your work, life, and dreams always be remembered.
Well im sorry for sounding so harsh, i have nothing personal against Steve(rip) its just that so many Aussies seem to live i the fantasy world of TV and dont see reality, So ask your self is promoting motor vehicles good for our planet? put more simlpy do you think the planet needs more cars?
Have you ever wondered where the waste goes when you flush the toilet?
waken up Australia,,, turn of you TVs and see reality.
As the years went by Steve’s life bacame part of many around the world. His work and emthusiam shall carry on as did many that chose the path he did.
Thank You for the Memories and the lessons in wildlife that i will alway remember.
God Bless
kevin R. Kerwood
goo bye mate you
were very important to us
you are right joanna dont pick on steve he was a great guy a model to me he saved a rainforest and made many conservation efforts for the world so heres a prayer for him: dear god holy father lord of all people, please grant steve acses to heven amem
” goo day mate ” we will surely miss you
richard
usa