As I was gearing up to leave Andiamo on Rio Dulce, I got the news about Steve Irwin’s very sudden and tragic death. The way it happened was in itself quite bizarre. He was stung by a stingray while shooting footage just off the Great Barrier Reef. Unfortunately, the otherwise relatively harmless sting became fatal because it penetrated his heart. Call it kismet, karma, or ironic bad luck, but Steve died because of his passion for wildlife.
No one can deny that this guy, though utterly crazy sometimes with his desire for ultimate proximity with the wildlife he so loved and respected, had an undying passion for the very animals he showcased. It was enlightening and refreshing to say the least. There are very few people in the spotlight these days who possess that level of passion in their lives for anything so worthy. Luckily, Steve was one of those people who had all the right stuff to make other people passionate about what he was driven by. I know that over the years of watching him, he did it for me.
His family can take some comfort in knowing that he has won the world’s love and respect, and for all the right reasons for a change. I don’t know one kid who hasn’t been exposed to Steve, anywhere in the world, who was not inspired or moved by his passion and infinite enthusiasm to show and teach.
The man and his rare passion will be missed.