IN REPLY TO STEVE IRWIN'S DEATH

There have been cases of stingrays whipping their tails upward or under to thrust their barb into a person or fish if threatened. The details indicate that Steve “swam too close” to the stingray. The stingray obviously felt threatened by his approach—considering that stingrays are sometimes attacked by sharks— and reacted to protect itself. The information reports that this is a rare occurrence, and I agree. This was a freak accident as indicated. It is to be noted, however, that there are documented cases where, for example, a young boy aboard his dad’s trawl boat had the net bag swing against him when it was lifted and a stingray’s barb was protruding and stuck him in the abdomen. He died shortly afterward. As far as stingrays killing someone while wade fishing, this is something I have never heard of, and I have never heard of someone stuck in any limb die from it— although you may wish you had as a result of the extreme pain. In Steve’s case, I think his being on camera makes him go over the edge a bit at times. The stingray has only one defense mechanism: his barb; and without it, he is dead meat for ever creature that pursues him. Stingrays are by far not known to be aggressive by any stretch of the imagination. They do not run after a person swimming to barb them. Steve unfortunately got “too close” for comfort for this creature of the sea, and it reacted!

WE, AS MANY, ARE VERY SADDENED AND SHOCKED AT THE LOSS OF THIS VERY COURAGEOUS WILDLIFE CONSERVATIONIST
Read more about the stingray's habits here (Stingrays— A Wadefisherman’s Nightmare):
http://www.jerrylabella.com/stingray.html
Read more about the news release:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...9/s1733041.htm

Regards,
Jerry LaBella