Steve Irwin reported dead : Evolving Thoughts

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John Wilkins is an eternal student, who thinks philosophy of biology is at least as interesting as politics or sport and twice as important. He has a PhD from the University of Melbourne and worked at the University of Queensland, in Australia, before taking up a research fellowship at the University of Sydney. After a varied career, involving factories, gardening, civil service, publishing, graphics, public relations but not, unfortunately for the CV, driving a truck, John finally completed his thesis on species concepts in 2004, which he has worked into two books.

This blog ~~is designed~~ evolved to host any random thoughts that happen to be passing through my forebrain at a given moment. So there will be errors...

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Steve Irwin reported dead

Category: Species and systematics
Posted on: September 4, 2006 1:01 AM, by John S. Wilkins

The "Crocodile Hunter" guy has been reported killed in a freak skindiving accident off the coast of Queensland north of Cairns. Apparently he was pierced through the heart by a stingray.

I visited his Australia Zoo a few years back and was pleasantly surprised how well it presented the animals. I also saw him do the croc feeding routine, with his daughter.

My condolences to his wife Terri and children Bindi and Bob. This is a tragic loss of a real enthusiast, who by reports was as dedicated off-camera as on.

Did you like this post? If so, please click on the "Share this" link above and add it to your favourite social bookmarking service, or submit it to the Open Laboratory 2009 via the link on the left bottom of the page. Many thanks. John.

Comments

Well, Wilkons, you beat me and your fellow sciencebloggers to reporting this by mere minutes. But I reported it to skepticality.com forums - and I found it off of Digg. This is sure to be in TV news tomorrow, no ifs, ands or butts.

Posted by: Aerik | September 4, 2006 1:50 AM

Very sad. I'm going to miss that cry of "Crikey!".

Posted by: Michael Geissler | September 4, 2006 1:53 AM

You beat me to the news too, which is what I get for being away from Queensland. All of Australia and a good part of the world will mourn Steve and wish the best for his wife and family.

Posted by: Louise | September 4, 2006 1:55 AM

What a terrible loss for science and conservation, both in Australia and around the world. I, too, share in sending condolences to his loving wife and children.

Posted by: Abel Pharmboy | September 4, 2006 6:56 AM

What a shock! His enthusiasm was so infectious, it's a sad, sad day for all of us who love nature. My condolences to his family. We all mourn with you.

Posted by: ericnh | September 4, 2006 7:52 AM

As a fellow zoologist, I wonder what Richard Dawkins may (or may not) have to say about the life's work of Steve Irwin.

Posted by: Aerik | September 4, 2006 12:39 PM

Poem I wrote and dedication to Steve Irwin

In Loving Memory
Of Steve Irwin

Memory Momentous

Yet humble, graceful and mysterious
Every precious moment you spent
Of times were here
Memories within our hearts
We shall hold so dear.

The good life you profound
On occasions you would share
Though when you were around
So much you could and would spare

Thus far such excitement about life
As you came upon
You lived on to be
Simultaneously, momentous of all

These memories remain
The memory will embrace
For now and forever
Our friendship will erase

And since you were a child
Will surely embrace within
The Heaven�s above
And with every greeting smile
You will be thought of.

Posted by: Tracy Rogers | September 6, 2006 12:46 AM