Crikey! No more Crocodile Hunter

Headline of the Day:

Stingray kills 'Crocodile Hunter' Irwin

Wow. I can't say I ever really liked the guy, but I am sad that he died. Being a student of biology who hopes to spend the rest of her life studying animal behavior, I appreciate anyone who tries to educate the world about how amazing animals are! Especially herps, as they are an under-studied taxa.

But, there is a lesson in Steve Irwin's death. While he was passionate about animals, he often got too close, stayed too long, and didn't treat the animals with the respect they deserve. It is only too fitting that his death would result from getting too close to a poisonous stingray that stabbed him in the heart.

My sympathies are with his wife and kids. And I do hope that others learn from his unfortunate death.