Comments on: The Star newspaper (6th September) Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
Young Malaysian fans of "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin are shocked and saddened by the news of Steve Irwin’s death on Monday.
The Crocodile hunter: they shoot crocodiles, don’t they?
This title is one of the Crocodile hunter’s shows from Steve Irwin on Malaysian Astro
TV. Steve Irwin became famous in Malaysia thanks to Malaysian Astro Satellite TV broadcasting the educational channel "Animal Planet".
Steve Irwin’s death shocks young Malaysian fans
Children interviewed in Malaysia say they will miss their wildlife hero’s daring encounters with crocodiles and snakes, Steve Irwin’s infectious sense of humour, and his favourite line, "Crikey, take a look at this beauty."
Adrian, 13, from Subang Jaya said: "I was extremely sad and had always feared that Steve Irwin would be eaten by a crocodile. I did not expect a stingray to kill him."
Claudine, 12, of Port Dickson, said she was depressed when she heard of Steve Irwin’s death. "From now on, every time I see a crocodile I will think of Steve Irwin."
Eight-year-old Priscilla, from Kuala Lumpur, said she was upset, as there would not be any new shows of the Crocodile Hunter. "Every show will be a repeat – and that’s really sad," she said. (not to mention all the repeats we already have seen of the crocodile hunter, Astro could well be named the repeat TV of Malaysia…) "Steve Irwin was my favourite hero and it’s because of his shows that I learned to love snakes."
Desmond, nine, from Seremban said: "It’s sad to lose someone who cared so much for animals and treated them with a lot of love. I will miss Steve Irwin."
Steve Irwin’s legacy
Steve Irwin’s fans will definitely miss his outspoken and humorous character.
The Crocodile Hunter was an icon among wild life enthusiasts. Steve Irwin’s Crocodile Hunter programmes on Malaysian Satellite Astro Animal Planet were a hit because of his down to earth and unusual tactics in handling wild animals.
Astro’s ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin deadly injured
Steve Irwin, known on Malaysian Astro TV for his famous television show The Crocodile Hunter and founder of Australian Zoo. Steve was killed by a stingray barb to the chest while he was filming an underwater documentary in Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef.
Very sad Steve Irwin…
Steve Irwin is married to Terry and they have 2 lovely children. But at 44, he is way to young to leave this earth. And why must a crocodile hunter get a stingray barb in the chest by a stingray. Steve would have said: it is us going in the animals territory, so we can expect this extreme behavior… Yet the outcome is far too sad.
What is a stingray barb?
The stingray is a flat, triangular-shaped fish, commonly found in tropical waters. It gets its name from the razor-sharp barb at the end of its tail, coated in toxic venom, which the animal uses to defend itself with when it feels threatened.
How a sea-turtle has a deep wound from a stingray barb
"It is believed that Mr Irwin collapsed after being stung by a stingray barb at Batt Reef off Port Douglas at about 1100 (0100 GMT)," a police statement quoted by AFP news agency said. Paramedics from the nearby city of Cairns rushed to treat him at the scene but were unable to save him.
"His crew called for medical treatment and the Queensland medical helicopter responded. However Mr Irwin had died."
Although deadly, such attacks on humans are a rarity: Seems Steve Irwin is the first to be killed by a stingray.
Condolences to Terry, Steve Irwin’s 2 kids and all his beloved ones.