WTF is wrong with people...like the stingrays plotted to kill Steve Irwin
Stingrays found dead, mutilated in Australia after "Crocodile Hunter" death
Posted 9/12/2006 6:42 AM ET E-mail | Save | Print | Subscribe to stories like this



SYDNEY, Australia (AP) — At least 10 stingrays have been slain since "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin was killed by one of the fish, an official said Tuesday, prompting a spokesman for the late TV star's animal charity to urge people not take revenge on the animals.
Irwin died last week when a stingray barb pierced his chest as he recorded a show off the Great Barrier Reef.

Slain stingrays since have been discovered on two beaches in Queensland state on Australia's eastern coast. Two were discovered Tuesday with their tails lopped off, state fisheries department official Wayne Sumpton said.

Sumpton said fishermen who inadvertently catch the diamond-shaped rays sometimes cut off their tails to avoid being stung, but the practice was uncommon. Stingrays often are caught in fishing nets by mistake and should be returned to the sea, Sumpton said.

Michael Hornby, the executive director of Irwin's Wildlife Warriors conservation group, said he was concerned the rays were being hunted and killed in retaliation for Irwin's death.

"It may be some sort of retribution, or it may be fear from certain individuals, or it just may be yet another callous act toward wildlife," he said.

He said killing stingrays was "not what Steve was about."

"We are disgusted and disappointed that people would take this sort of action to hurt wildlife," he said.

Stingrays are usually shy, unobtrusive fish that rummage the sea bottom for food or burrow into the sand.

They have a serrated spine up to 10 inches long on their tails, which they can lash when stepped on or otherwise frightened.

The spines emit toxins that can kill many small creatures and cause excruciating pain in humans. Few people have died from the poison, but the spines can badly tear flesh and the wounds are prone to infections, including tetanus.

Hornby said people should treat stingrays with caution, but "there is still no need to ... kill or mutilate these important animals."

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
[Edited 9/14/06 5:23am]
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It doesn't surprise me whatsoever.

Mr. Irwin repeatedly presented animals as being "dangerous" or "scary" by encroaching upon their territory and goading them into a defensive reaction.

This news is a fitting epitath to him.

People are so stupid.

applekisses said:

yep.

Stupidity.

Justin1972UK said:

I agree.

Very, very sad.

Should I post my sting ray animated gif?

GaryTheNoTrashCougar said:

I've passed that thing on to so many people.

JustErin said:

CRICKEY!

Justin1972UK said:

You never REALLY watched his show did you?

And for the idiots killing these animals, it is 100% the complete opposite of what Steve Irwin would have wanted.

Sowhat said:

Speaking as someone who worked in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation for many years, I can say without hesitation that he was NOT respected by many in this field.

But yes, you're totally right, killing these animals is not what he would have wanted.

I see those PETA idiots have came out and said that he deserved to die.
Fuckin pricks.

JustErin said:

What do you and other wildlife preservation professionals think of this guy?

JustErin said:

Funny, I have heard just the opposite.

And I have seen him many times in his shows put himself in more dangerous situations to put animals in less danger. For example, he would relocate Crocs from locations where the locals wanted to kill them to save their lives (without sedating them).

I have seen him go into villages and capture Black Mamba snakes (the most venomous snake in the world) putting his own life in danger just to relocate them to save them from the villagers.

I have seen him subdue crocs instead of sedate (which is much more dangerous to the animals) them for necessary veterinary procedures.

I have seen him shed a tear for a damn lizard who had been burned by a natural wild fire.

When he interacted with animals, you could see his passion, you could literally see in his eyes how much he cared for these animals.

retina said:

Is that bear trying to poop?

TheSpivHead said:

They haven't said that he deserved to die.

http://www.lse.co.uk/Show...ghts_group

TheSpivHead said:

Fuck PETA. They are more concerned with people eating hamburgers than saving actual animals from irresponsible deaths. PETA should not even exist, and hopefully it won't someday.

I hope the people killing the stingrays realize it is not a way to seek revenge. Steve would never want that to happen.

GaryTheNoTrashCougar said:

i say yes

retina said:

Nuts, just plain nuts...or was nuts, that is.

JustErin said:

If that's your professional opinion I'm not sure I even want to hear your personal opinion.

Sowhat said:

Anyone that works in wildlife rehabilitation knows that relocation of wildlife is a death sentence for that animal.

I'm sure that you have heard the opposite, I don't doubt that at all. For every person who loved him I bet there are 10 that didn't.

I'm not saying that he did not do great things, like raise money for wildlife conservation, it's his methods that were appalling to many.

Steve Iriwn is aclown compared to "Bush Tucker" man, now there was a REAL conservationist, just a shame he is so unappreciated

Les Hiddins, aka Bush Tucker Man



http://en.wikipedia.org/w...es_Hiddins

gatorgirl said:

I'd say. Why even seek revenge? They're fish for christs sake. It's just too bizaare.

retina said:

People do not seem to understand that you do not have to be hands on with animals, or exploit them in order to save them.

LleeLlee said:

It's like kicking a lamp post you just walked into

JustErin said:

I don't necessarily approve of his methods either, but unlike many others I don't think he was insane. He was just quite a character that happened to be so passionate about understanding and protecting the bears that he sometimes went too far. I gotta say - the Grizzly Man documentary was one of the most fascinating and gripping pieces of cinema I've seen in years.

GaryTheNoTrashCougar said:

even Aquaman knew the dangers of fucking with stingrays...


that being said...what the fuck good use was aquaman if you weren't anywhere near water? waste of a goddamned roster space on the JLA if you had to fight crime in Arizona, IMHO.