A Hard Post For Me

I've struggled with this one all day. I wanted to ignore it, but it's not going to go away.

Steve Irwin, the Croc Hunter, is dead.

A ten inch Sting Ray barb stabbed him through the heart today.

It's sad, but it is a part of life.

Here is a tribute to him.

The untimely death of Australian television personality and environmentalist Steve Irwin is a blow for conservation.
Irwin, 44, who shot to stardom on his TV show The Crocodile Hunter, was killed by a stingray barb which pierced his chest while filming an underwater documentary in Queensland.
Irwin was famous for his infectious enthusiasm for wildlife, which was clear to viewers of his TV show as he got close up to crocodiles, snakes and spiders.
His programs inspired viewers to get involved in working with animals, and British zoologist Mark O'Shea believes his death will leave an "immense hole" in the worlds of conservation and television.
O'Shea said: "Although we had different styles of working and I did not know him personally I am actually completely shocked. It is going to leave an immense hole. What he has done for conservation in Australia is massive."
O'Shea said that although some "university professors" might have turned their noses up at the way presenters like Irwin portrayed reptiles, he had probably inspired many people to follow a future in conservation.
He added: "A lot of people who now want to study biology and work with animals may not have considered it before they watched him on television."
Mr Irwin had built up Australia Zoo in Queensland, which is a major center for Australian wildlife.
Irwin's parents, Lyn and Bob Irwin, were animal naturalists and he was brought up at the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, where he helped feed and look after the animals.
He worked on the Queensland government's crocodile relocation program, where reptiles are transferred and relocated to proper locations in a humane, non-tranquilizing way. He often used this method on his television show.
He was criticised in 2004 after holding his one-month-old son while feeding a hungry crocodile at Australia Zoo.
Later in 2004, the Australian Environment Department launched an investigation into whether Mr Irwin and his team interacted too closely with whales and penguins while filming in the Antarctic. Irwin denied any wrongdoing and no action was taken against him.
His untimely death is a tragedy for his wife Terri and two children, daughter Bindi Sue and son Bob. The only consolation is that he died doing the job he loved - being with wildlife.