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.
Steve Irwin was always such a happy, curious, risk taking guy. Just the kind of guy you would want to meet or become friends with. He did so many amazing things in his life and im sure is a hero to many. I hope that is family is doing ok and that they get through it, he will always be in their hearts (and everyones). He was a great man. Rest in Peace Steve Irwin.
On Monday September 4th even the crocodiles wept.
You will be missed!
he is the best
r.i.p man
We are all too complacent about our environment and extinction due to habitat loss. It’s too easy to sit around watching your HD TV in your air conditioned house watching “nice†civilized environmentalist that stay far away from animals telling you how great they live, in the wilderness. What wilderness? Most of those films take place in wilderness preserves.
These animals are dying every day from poachers, from habitat destruction, war and more. There is no time for “nice†shows that lie to us that we will be able to see these animals ever again. The film is all that we will have left if things continue as they have.
When audiences are mislead like that, there is no sense of urgency or shock, they vote to build even more condominiums and vote down preserves. Now that is real harassment of animals, being run over by cars, their food sources destroyed, their livelihood taken away from them.
Steve really wrestled with the problem of conservation, and was dangerously close to the problem ironically, and placed himself in harm’s way to make a point, to make us pay attention.
The alligators in his zoo lived well, bathed in clean water and were better fed than millions of children around the world that are starving today due to environmental devastation and war. These crocks are not really just ambassadors for their own species, educating audiences to assure their survival. They are our own salvation.
Most people don’t see the connection but if a snake or a crocodile cannot survive in today’s world, after 200 millions years on earth, there is certainly no hope for us humans is there?
So Steve Irwin was not shouting to us EXTINCTION WARNING WARNING EXTINCTION – he was warning us of our own demise unless we do something.
Some might think the Stingray got him because he was taking revenge on Steve, but those of us that think there are other forces in nature, of a higher order, might think the Stingray killed him so Steve could make the ultima sacrifice for the sake of our environment and these animals, so we may finally pay attention and take notice. I believe so. We will miss Steve but his message will not die with him.
As a child growing up in Canada, I watched Skippy the Bush Kangaroo. As a teen, I developed a huge crush on Olivia Newton-John. As a young adult, I used to listen to Men at Work. And I’ve been a Bee Gees fan as far back as I can remember. Australia has given the world a great deal in terms of talent. Two celebrities, of late, when each passed away, caused grief around the world. I wrote a song for each of them that I’d like to share with fans of each (and BTW, feel free to use the first song to promote your new Steve Irwin fund):
Crocodile Hunter (A Tribute to Steve Irwin)
words and music by Bruce L. Thiessen, aka Dr. BLT (c)2006
http://www.drblt.net/music/crocodileHunter.mp3
When the Bee Gees were Three (A Tribute to Maurice Gibb)
words and music by Bruce L. Thiessen, aka Dr. BLT (c)2006
http://www.drblt.net/music/beegees.mp3
R.I.P steve you have inspired many people and been idolised and looked up to by millions more u will be greatly missed. I also send my condolenses to the friends and familly God bless
May god bless all your family and see this tragedy as a new door to guide you to a new light. Steve was a blessed soul that will shine on for all of us to see. I hope the family continues his legacy as the world cries for him. God bless Steve and his beautiful family. BE STRONG AND CARRY HIS TORCH!
Love,
[email protected]
we will miss you
It was obvious, this BLOKE loved every minute of what he was doing and got to do it with the people he loved. Most people could never even imagine having that Passion. If there’s one thing we can take away from this, it is find out what you were put on this earth for and do it will all your heart. God Bless this man.
I first heard it on Monday morning over the radio on my way to work… and I didnt want to believe it. but soon enough it was already in the news everywhere. Sadly mom called in tears to confirm later in the afternoon. We are both scared of reptiles, and they have never been funnier and cutter but in the hands of this man! May he rest in peace! Its stil so hard to believe! Terri, Bob, Bindi… its no easy thing, but if this counts at all, my thoughts and prayers are with you darlings!
Melania, Romania
Steve you made watching Discovery channel / Animal Planet a thrilling and at the same time funny experience. You were a great animal lover, conservationist and a great entertainer too. I am sure Steve’s millions of admirers all over the world are grieving as i do. Though i live far away from you…in India.. and have never met you, i feel as if i have lost a family member. Watching wild life on television will never be the same again without you steve. Rest in Peace my friend!
My heartfelt condolences to Terry, Bindi and Bob.
Just a comment to all who are posting…if you can’t find it in your heart to show compassion at this time then don’t write anything….a family is grieving and until you have experienced the loss of a loved one you don’t know just how hard it is to get through the ordeal…Steve Irwin was a very public figure and what you saw was what you got…his love of animals and his family are beyond question…he made money the best way he knew how but poured it all back into conservation by buying land for future generations of wildlife….to those who are posting such negative remarks I feel sorry for you… the old saying..”if you can’t say anything nice about people then say nothing…….
a true blue Aussie
what’s the matter “jealous”????? Steve WAS the best so he really wasn’t skiting (look up the meaning)…he was and will always be a Wildlife Warrior and the world has lost a great man..
What goes around comes around…you’ll get yours one of these days and hope it is painful….
Have you any idea where all the money went to that this man made???? it went back to conservation every last penny…..do you drive a car??/ do you use a toilet??? we Aussie don’t all watch TV…I am in my 70’s and I bowl, paint (Folk Art) knit for orphanages overseas, and for great-grandkids, I walk and garden and am very active in my church..there are not enough hours in the day for me…..What do you do that is constructive??/
Ann
Your comments are uncalled for…What has Australia got going for it but tourism or any other country for that matter….why don’t you get out and do something constructive and use your enery in a positive sense rather than being negative.
Ann
The world is a little less colourful now…Steve I admired your passion for wildlife not just here in Aussie land but all over the world. You also had an unbridled passion for your family….I pray that Terry will keep your dream going and one day Bindi and Bob will be able to take over….it is great that grandad Bob is there to help…I know a memorial is planned here in Australia and wish I could be there….to Terry, Bindi and Bob and Steve’s father Bob, all his friends at Australia Zoo…keep strong, know that Steve is in God’s kingdom tending to heaven’s animals…..you are all in my prayers…
God Bless
Ann
you are and will remain awsome here on earth steve!goodluck to wife and children i will prey for all of you,and to all other family.GODBLESS!love you all take care .
sincerly ,
Tiffany Oklahoma City .OK
It seems a paradox that Steve Irwin ‘The Glory Hunter’ spent his entire life poking dumb animals in the eye with a sharp stick, and yet millions of them still adore him!