Posted on 09/09/2006 10:26:40 PM PDT by John Carey
STEVE Irwin died from a stingray attack just weeks before work began on his dream of building the world's biggest animal hospital.
The Crocodile Hunter had planned the $4 million hospital in the grounds of his Australia Zoo at Beerwah in Queensland as a tribute to his mother Lyn, who died in a car accident six years ago.
Now staff at the existing animal hospital have vowed to see his expansion plans through as Irwin's legacy to Australian conservation.
"To make Steve proud we want to make it bigger and better than even he dreamed," said Australian Wildlife Hospital manager Gail Gipp. "Steve and Terri started this hospital two years ago in memory of his mother, who was also a wildlife carer. Then one day he was sitting in here and he said: 'This isn't big enough'," she said.
The hospital already cares for 4800 native animals a year that are rescued and brought in by members of the public. It runs 24-hours a day and gives veterinary advice to people with Australian animals who call from all over the world. "As an example, we just had a call about sugar gliders from the former Miss Turkey," said Ms Gipp.
(Excerpt) Read more at smh.com.au ...
I'm still waiting to see Germaine Greer's gift to the world. I'll miss him.
Nice legacy.
And I noticed Australia gave Peter Brock a state funeral this week too ... even though Irwin's family declined.
This is a perfect item to raise money for. I wonder why there hasn't been a fund set up where people could contribute? (Or, maybe there has and I missed it )
Oh my, his poor father.
I am just so sad about this.
I had not heard specifically about the hospital. But if you go to the zoo's web site, there is a link for donations to his group "Wildlife Warriors": http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au/
I made my donation earlier today on that site; good to know it's going for something he really wanted. Frankly I hadn't seen him that much (although I always thought he was a cutie) but reading notes on FR and hearing from others offline, I'm simply amazed at what a good, genuine person he was. It makes his death even more tragic.
He loved his family, he was passionate about his animals, he loved people -- he just seemed to be full of life and love. He made the world a better place.
Awhile back someone posted a clip on Youtube about him crying over a dead alligator. It showed his true heart. I can't imagine any other celebrity who'd let the cameras running at that moment, much less keep it in the final program!
Sorry, my Texas roots are showing - I meant croc!
I recently rented "The Crocodile Hunter' on DVD from Netflix. One of the episodes on the disk is about Steve Irwin's early years. He really was born to do what he did. He was totally engaged by the natural world, even as a young boy. His family, his friend, his wife, are all 100% dedicated to preserving wild animals. The DVD is well worth a view.
I caught part of "Confessions of the Crocodile Hunter" on Animal Planet a couple nights ago; it was an interview show with Steve, Terri, Steve's father Bob Irwin, producer John Stainton, and his fellow croc-handler Wes, shot in 2004. When they talked about Lyn Irwin's death, Steve broke down on-camera. For that matter, so did Wes. Every indication was that she was absolutely loved by their little community at Australia Zoo, and she was right in the middle of everything that Bob and Steve did.
It was an interesting show with a lot of things I'd never known about. Steve was a surfer for many years, among his other pursuits, until he had to give it up due to knee surgery. (They showed some footage of him surfing and he was actually pretty good!) Apparently his various injuries and wear and tear over the years had torn up his knees to the point that after multiple scopings (one of which was shown on camera, yuk) he had to stop surfing to prevent further damage.
He also apparently was instrumental in the rescue of an American scuba diver off the Queensland coast a few years ago--he was out filming a documentary when word came that two divers had drifted away from their group and were lost. Irwin found one of them the next day sitting on a rock outcropping, dehydrated and near death, got him onboard his boat and took him to the nearest city. All on camera.
}:-)4
Gosh I'm sorry for the pun but I just couldn't control myself. I sure did not mean any disrespect to Steve. I still hold him in very high regard. Always will.
Tribute to Steve Irwin from Rupert McCall
THE CROCODILES ARE CRYING
Endless visions fill my head – this man – as large as life
And instantly my heart mourns for his angels and his wife
Because the way I see Steve Irwin – just put everything aside
It comes back to his family – it comes back to his pride
His animals inclusive – Crikey – light the place with love!
Shine his star with everything he fought to rise above
The crazy-man of Khaki from the day he left the pouch
Living out his dream and in that classic ‘Stevo’ crouch
Exploding forth with character and redefining cheek
It’s one thing to be honoured as a champion unique
It’s one thing to have microphones and spotlight cameras shoved
It’s another to be taken in and genuinely loved
But that was where he had it right – I guess he always knew
From his fathers’ modest reptile park and then Australia Zoo
We cringed at times and shook our heads – but true to natures call
There was something very Irwin in the make up of us all
Yes the more I care to think of it – the more he had it right
If you’re going to make a difference – make it big and make it bright!
Yes - he was a lunatic! Yes - he went head first!
But he made the world feel happy with his energetic burst
A world so large and loyal that it’s hard to comprehend
I doubt we truly count the warmth until life meets an end
To count it now I say a prayer with words of inspiration
May the spotlight shine forever on his dream for conservation
…My daughter broke the news to me – my six year old in tears
It was like she’d just turned old enough to show her honest fears
I tried to make some sense of it but whilst her Dad was trying
His little girl explained it best…she said “The crocodiles are crying”
Their best mate’s up in heaven now – the crocs up there are smiling!
And as sure as flowers, poems and cards and memories are piling
As sure as we’ll continue with the trademarks of his spiel
Of all the tributes worthy – he was rough…but he was real
As sure as ‘Crikey!’ fills the sky
I think we’ll miss ya Steve…goodbye
RUPERT McCALL 2006
__________________
Thank you. I went through the alphabet several times and just couldn't come up with anything that sounded familiar. This was one very special man. Everyone I talk to remembers their own special things about Steve and it is comforting to hear. I'll miss him terribly. I remember the scene in the video. That's hard to watch but it is so indicative of who he was. I feel privileged to have been witness to his feelings/emotions, enthusiasm, passion and humor.
When she dies, that will be gift enough.
I believe that was Bindi, and Terri and Steve named their daughter after that croc, as well as their dog, Sui.
The daughter's name is Bindi Sue.
Mark
Turns out the croc was Mary but I appreciate your comments and you are exactly right about daughter Bindi Sue being named after a croc, Bindi, and Steve's beloved dog Sui. I remember the picture of him comforting Sui as she breathed her last. His poor heart was broken by the death of all the animals he lost. Even one he would find along the roadside. Is it any wonder we feel the same about his death.
"It will be open to the public and they will be able to come in and see what Steve Irwin was all about, which was the conservation of wildlife," he said.
Look at "this little beauty"!
http://www.smh.com.au/text/ffximage/2006/09/09/kiabailey_wideweb__470x367.jpg
I suspect that Steve Irwin would approve of this and be elated.
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