Steve Irwin (crocodile hunter) dies..........

[Aisling]

I think the the comments about Terri Irwin's looks etc. were over the top ugly and rude. She is very attractive and seems like a down to earth woman (who is still grieving). A lot of men do not find prissy, fake women attractive. They want a real woman, a person not afraid to of advenbture and a little dirt. Terri Irwin is that type of woman. I feel sure she rocked his world!

I read Steve and Me, and there were so many parts that showed how he adored that woman. Steve has been quoted many times on tv programs that Terri was the most beautiful girl he ever saw, and it was love at first sight. Shortly after Steve and Terri first met, they went out to dinner, and while eating, Terri dropped a piece of food onto her arm, and then proceded to eat it off her arm! Steve looked at her with aa look in his eye that Terri thought he was going to say something romantic, but he said, "you're sure not lady-like!" He loved her style! And she called him "hot in the cot" when they were on a TV show together. So to others, she may not appear feminine, but she was the right woman for him. I recommend reading the book, it's a BEAUTIFUL story, and you really get an insight on their love for each other and their love of animal conservation. She gave up her home and family in Oregon and a cougar conservation project to marry Steve. She said "his home is my home, my place is with Steve." (This is from the book.)

One thing that made me really cry was when Terri described how hard Steve worked, physical labor, chopping down trees, repairing their truck engines, etc, she would time to time see him go behind a tree to throw up from the physical stress. When she tried to get him to relax more, he'd blame the throwing up on having too much tea that morning.

Again I say, if you really want to know about them, read the book.You'll love it. But have some kleenex ready for some chapters.


EDITED to add: Nutsy, thanks so much for all your info.

 

[lucas]

Wow - how sad to read about all the Zoo troubles.

Maybe just me..... after reading about it, I wouldn't be surprised if there were always problems/issues and Steve was the glue that held it all together. You never know what the relationship was between Terri and Steve's parents all along, know what I mean?

 

[sha_lyn]

after reading about it, I wouldn't be surprised if there were always problems/issues and Steve was the glue that held it all together. You never know what the relationship was between Terri and Steve's parents all along, know what I mean?

I can't say it any better than that.

 

[Pooh93]

As far as the commercialism at the zoo, I'm sure it is a double edged sword. They are trying and need to make money to keep the zoo open and moving forward.

From an emotional standpoint, I'm sure everyone, especially Terri wants to make sure that Steve is never forgotten. I know my friend that lost her 18 year old daughter in an automobile accident says that is her biggest fear, that people forget her.

It's a very sad situation. I agree that Steve was the glue that held everything together.

 

[Keli]

Wow - how sad to read about all the Zoo troubles.

Maybe just me..... after reading about it, I wouldn't be surprised if there were always problems/issues and Steve was the glue that held it all together. You never know what the relationship was between Terri and Steve's parents all along, know what I mean?

Probably an element of truth here but it is just so sad either way. I hate it when someone dies in a family and then those left just break apart in anger, hurt, and grief. It's probably exactly what no one in the situation wants and yet it seems almost inevitable.

 

[BratTink]

Nutsy, thanks for the info. It sounds like Wes is siding with Terri. I find it sad. I think the heart of the zoo and Steve were always about conservation. The commercialism is something he/they HAD to do to make money to make people aware.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Yes Nutsy, thanks for the info. I was hoping you'd give us the feel of things from where you are.

 

[Nutsy]

Now worries you guys. I've been away for a week and when I saw all the concerns on the thread I thought maybe I should tell you what we've been hearing over here.

One of the things that was mentioned regarding the Commercialism of the Zoo was the visit by John Edward.

Now, please don't get me wrong here and each to his own and I used to watch John Edward all the time. BUT....This was also in our papers a little while back and was a huge talking point. Why did Terri not just have a private meeting with John Edward, why have a big public meeting in the Crocoseum? I know there was a lot of talk from those that attended and they were very disappointed in the outcome.

Also good point lucas on wondering if Steve was the glue that held it all together. You may well have just hit the nail right on the head with that.

I do know that Bob snr dotes on the grandchildren, but it does make one wonder what the relationship between him and Terri was like before they lost Steve and now it seems it's coming out in the open that it's not all rosy. Such a terrible shame as this is not just about Terri losing her husband, Bob also lost his only son.

 

[lucas]

Good to hear from you Nutsy! And thanks for the updates.

 

[Nutsy]

Full text of Bob Irwin's original media statement

HERE is the exact, full text of the media release that Australia Zoo founder Bob Irwin wanted to be distributed to the media.
Media Release from Bob Irwin

I have decided to step down from my role as manager of Ironbark Station as well as my duties at Australia Zoo. As you can imagine this was a very difficult decision to make after 36 years with Australia Zoo.

In late 1999, Steve and I discussed important projects that were to take place at Ironbark Station, one of the zoo's conservation properties which I have managed since 1999. These projects have been completed with the wonderful assistance from staff and our wildlife caring friends.

Currently, Ironbark Station is home to a very important koala research project which is tracking and monitoring the movements and health of hand-raised koalas following release. This is due to be completed in June 2008, at which time Judy and I will move to our new property.

Steve's ultimate passion, even from a young boy, was always for the conservation of Australian wildlife and its habitat. When Judy and I move to our new property we intend to carry on with wildlife rehabilitation and conservation projects and therefore continue Steve's and my dream.

I would like to thank Australia Zoo for their valuable assistance in acquiring our new property in SE Queensland. Australia Zoo has kindly offered to assist us in the relocation (to our new property) of animals needing special care.

I would like to sincerely thank all of the dedicated and hardworking staff at Australia Zoo, Wildlife Warriors and the Australian Wildlife Hospital for their kindness and support over many years.

To all of Steve's friends out there, you may rest assured that Judy and I will continue with Steve's dream, with the passion and commitment he would expect.

I would appreciate that my privacy be respected at this time. A more in-depth statement may be released at a later date, if necessary.

Bob Irwin

 

[Nutsy]

Bob Bob Now The Only Irwin Family Member Without A Doll In His Likeness, Continues To Be Our Small Blonde Hope For Australia Zoo

Because we're just in that sort of mood this morning, we'd like to begin by looking at the positives in this article regarding Bindi Irwin's new incarnation as a talking doll.
Firstly, Dark Crystal fans, Bindi is still being officially classified as human. Says mother Terri "She is still a nine-year-old human being. She is a real girl," which is comforting - if there's one thing Terri Irwin knows about, it's the classification of animal species.
Secondly, Bindi is like a Mr Chips for nature-obsessed children. Continues Terri "She takes being a role model seriously, she equates what she does with being a teacher, like her teacher Miss Emma."
Please note, it is highly unlikely Miss Emma is a plump affable middle-aged human tutor with a heart of gold, but rather some kind of hyper-intelligent monitor lizard from Papua New Guinea who communicates with Bindi using a complex combination of tail flicks and text messaging. At best, Miss Emma is a strict but wise orangutan. Australia Zoo only allows four human members of staff on the grounds at the one time, and the merch store requires many human fingers to handle the complex EFTPOS machine.
Thirdly, Terri does not want Bindi to grow up feeling different from other children, even though, you know, Bindi is quite rich, famous, lives in a Zoo, and is completely different from pretty much every other child her age.

Mrs Irwin was left to launch the doll, which plays recorded messages from Bindi, at a New York toy fair alone after organisers banned children. Bindi and her mother declined a special offer to allow her to attend because other children were unable to see the wonderland of toys.
"They said they would make an exception for Bindi, I said 'No thank you, I don't want Bindi to grow up being the exception'," Mrs Irwin said.
​

We fear it will be quite impossible to imagine a room full of kids where Bindi wouldn't be considered the odd one out, but whatever. Noble sentiments from Terri Irwin.
Alright, now we must get to the more disturbing aspects of the article.

Bindi saw the dolls, which repeat favourite sayings such as "love it, don't hurt it", on Saturday night in New York and told her mother it was every girl's dream to have their own doll.​

Bindi's favourite saying is "love it, don't hurt it"?
We cannot personally come up with anything more horrendous and frightening than the idea of being surprised by a small doll with Bindi Irwin features which repeatedly howls "LOVE IT DON'T HURT IT" in our direction but hey, that's just us.

Bindi's young brother Robert is the only family member not to have a doll, with dolls of Mrs Irwin and her crocodile hunter husband already on sale.​

Oh, Bob Bob. You continue to keep it so real. With Bob Bob, it's all about the conservation, you know? Not the trappings of fame like dolls and spin off rap projects (although we still want Bindi to win the ARIA for Best Urban Release this year) and meddling in Britney Spears' troubled life.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Now worries you guys. I've been away for a week and when I saw all the concerns on the thread I thought maybe I should tell you what we've been hearing over here.

One of the things that was mentioned regarding the Commercialism of the Zoo was the visit by John Edward.

Now, please don't get me wrong here and each to his own and I used to watch John Edward all the time. BUT....This was also in our papers a little while back and was a huge talking point. Why did Terri not just have a private meeting with John Edward, why have a big public meeting in the Crocoseum? I know there was a lot of talk from those that attended and they were very disappointed in the outcome.
Also good point lucas on wondering if Steve was the glue that held it all together. You may well have just hit the nail right on the head with that.

I do know that Bob snr dotes on the grandchildren, but it does make one wonder what the relationship between him and Terri was like before they lost Steve and now it seems it's coming out in the open that it's not all rosy. Such a terrible shame as this is not just about Terri losing her husband, Bob also lost his only son.

I remember reading about that and being so disturbed by it. Is it really like I remember---she had John Edwards come into the auditorium for a "reading" in front of everyone???

I don't know if John Edwards is for real or not, but if I had the chance to try to find out, I don't think I would want to do it in front of 100s of people. There's a time to draw the line for the fans..........

Please correct me if I read the article wrong or took it the wrong way.

 

[Nutsy]

From what I remember, Terri and the family had a private reading or whatever they call it before the public one. However, and this is my personal opinion and feelings only. Just how many of those 5,000 people would have known Steve personally? Just seemed a bit over the top to me, to have John Edward come and invite the public along in the hope that Steve would come through with a message. What they all didn't know before they booked their tickets was that the family were meeting with John Edward beforehand and it never was revealed as to whether or not Steve came through for them or not. Apparantly Steve and John and were friends and I can understand why Terri would want a meeting with John, but why have a public one as well.

Why not just keep it to a family meeting and leave it at that? Like I say this is just how I feel about it. Others may well view it quite differently and that's fine. We all see things differently.

 

[Nutsy]

Terri Irwin touched by spirit of Steve Irwin

CROCODILE Hunter Steve Irwin "spoke" to wife Terri and father Bob through world-famous medium John Edward yesterday.

Hours before Edward addressed a 4500-strong crowd at Irwin's Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast, Terri and Bob had a private session with the psychic in a bid to contact the late wildlife hero.

Bob Irwin later said Terri had been comforted by the outcome.

"There's no doubt that Steve was with us," he said. "It's not black and white, it's grey, but there is a definite Steve energy that is unmistakable."
Mr Irwin said the details of the reading were private, declining to say what message the medium delivered.

Mrs Irwin confirmed she met Edward, a long-term friend of her late husband, in the hope of receiving a message from Steve.

When The Sunday Mail last night asked Mrs Irwin whether she had a private meeting, she smiled and nodded before being whisked away by security staff.

If the crowd at the public $90-a-head show had hoped to see Steve yesterday, they would have been left disappointed.

Steve did not make his presence felt and Edward did not address any of the Irwin family during the two-hour show at Australia Zoo.

Mrs Irwin spoke to the crowd, acknowledging that many had hoped to hear from the Crocodile Hunter.

"If any of you are wondering why Steve didn't come through , it's because, look around you, he's everywhere," Mrs Irwin said.

Andrea Grant, 53, of Brisbane, wore Steve's trademark khakis and said she had hoped to hear from her idol.

"I've been waiting all week and as a fan of John Edward I was sure he'd bring Steve through to us," said the disappointed mother of two.

Steve Irwin developed a private interest in psychic readings through his connection to Edward. Steve's father, Bob, said: "He would have been into this, definitely. But he never would have admitted it, mate."

Among the crowd at the Crocoseum last night was Lisa Origliasso, one half of hit pop duo The Veronicas.

"I'm a fan of John Edward but I didn't come to hear from anyone in particular. I just wanted to come and see the show," she said.

Mrs Irwin and Steve's father planned to have a second private reading last night.

The Sunday Mail last month revealed Mrs Irwin was "open" to receiving a message from the spirit of her late husband.

Mrs Irwin said she sensed Steve was still with her and had "great faith" his spirit was still around.

Edward rose to stardom with his television show Crossing Over and claims to use his abilities to connect people with loved ones who have died.

He had been friends with Steve for several years, Mrs Irwin said.

"He's a fair-dinkum bloke. It's been a real privilege to know him," she said last month.

"He loves Australia and he's been such a supporter of our family and good friend since we lost Steve.

"He gives them peace of mind. He has a real gift."

Asked whether she expected to receive a message from Steve, Mrs Irwin said: "I know (Steve's) gone but in some way he is still here. I feel him, I sense him."


I'd just like to add that although I never knew Steve personally, but from seeing him at the Zoo and on tv and seeing the type of person he was. So full of life and so in your face that you would think that he would have "come through" in some way at the Crocoseum that day. I don't mean in a personal way for Terri or Bob snr, but from what I've seen from watching John Edward in the past, he claims that those who have passed are able to see what we are doing and know that we are grieving etc.. so one would have thought that with that in mind that John would have brought Steve through in some general way, even just a simple message for all those fans who flocked to the Zoo that day.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

From what I remember, Terri and the family had a private reading or whatever they call it before the public one. However, and this is my personal opinion and feelings only. Just how many of those 5,000 people would have known Steve personally? Just seemed a bit over the top to me, to have John Edward come and invite the public along in the hope that Steve would come through with a message. What they all didn't know before they booked their tickets was that the family were meeting with John Edward beforehand and it never was revealed as to whether or not Steve came through for them or not. Apparantly Steve and John and were friends and I can understand why Terri would want a meeting with John, but why have a public one as well.

Why not just keep it to a family meeting and leave it at that? Like I say this is just how I feel about it. Others may well view it quite differently and that's fine. We all see things differently.

I agree with you........

 

[Nutsy]

Irwin zoo breached laws: Qld govt



The Irwin family's Australian Wildlife Hospital at Australia Zoo has breached environmental laws relating to koalas 13 times, the Queensland government says.

Queensland Sustainability Minister Andrew McNamara said he was concerned at repeated infringements by the Sunshine Coast-based hospital of regulations covering the release of injured koalas back into the wild.

Under Queensland environmental laws, koalas should be released into a location that is no more than five kilometres from the area where they were found, unless permission is granted for another location because there is no suitable environment within five kilometres.

"It is disappointing that an organisation held in such high regard has flouted regulations designed to protect the best interests of koalas in Queensland," Mr McNamara said.

"The hospital has acknowledged breaches of the regulation, and senior management of Australia Zoo have assured the EPA it won't happen again.
"Information provided to me by the Environmental Protection Agency indicates that the hospital has breached the regulation on 13 occasions."
He said the hospital had assured the EPA its procedures had been changed to comply with the laws.

"I have directed the EPA to make it quite clear to the Australian Wildlife Hospital that I expect it and all other wildlife carers in Queensland to operate within the boundaries of the regulation," Mr McNamara said.
Australian Wildlife Hospital director of veterinary services Jon Hanger told AAP that while the hospital did its best to release koalas into their natural habitats, the expansion of land for houses meant that it was not always possible.

"These koalas were rescued from busy roads, which are not safe areas to return wildlife, or in the middle of urban developments, which put koalas at a big risk of further injury," Dr Hanger said.

Previous translocation and tracking projects showed koalas' ability to adjust to new environments, with the hospital tracking such koalas over the past year, he said.

"The Australian Wildlife Hospital's priority is the welfare of animals and ensuring that rehabilitated trauma patients, having already been through a major ordeal, are released into the safest environment possible," he said.

The Sunshine Coast-based zoo was founded by the family of the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin.

Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) chief executive Deborah Tabart the government needed to provide tighter guidelines and step up enforcement.

"It reflects a lack of direction and lack of guidance by the minister and the department," she said.

Koalas had been listed as vulnerable since 2003, but numbers of the animals had been dropping an alarming rate since then, and the AKF now believed koalas were endangered in south-east Queensland.

"It's about 1,000 a year at least are euthanased automatically," Ms Tabart said.

"I've just read the post-mortems (reports) of 700 koalas that went into hospital (at Australia Zoo and the government-run koala hospital in Brisbane's west) - they couldn't fix them and they died or were euthanased."

 

[Nutsy]

'Zoo sale' report in Bob Irwin and Terri Irwin rift'

PLANS to sell Australia Zoo to a US company and build a multi-million-dollar theme park on the site may have been the wedge that has driven apart Bob and Terri Irwin.

A staff member has told The Sunday Mail that American-born Mrs Irwin plans to sell the tourist attraction to US television channel Animal Planet and move back to the US with children Bindi and Robert.

The speculation surrounding the sale and move was believed to be behind the recent rift, which saw her father-in-law, Bob Irwin, leave the zoo he started 32 years ago.

The zoo employee said the rumoured sale and $100 million Disney-style wildlife theme park was common knowledge among the zoo's 550 staff.
However an Australia Zoo spokeswoman said the leaked information was incorrect. She said Australia Zoo had not been sold to Animal Planet and Mrs Irwin had no plans to leave Australia.

The spokeswoman refused to comment on future plans that might involve Animal Planet.

Animal Planet is owned by US-based global media and entertainment company Discovery Communications Inc.

Neither Animal Planet or DCI could be reached for comment.

DCI started as the Discovery Channel in 1985 and now has 1.5 billion subscribers and 100 channels in more than 170 countries.

Animal Planet has a vested interest in the zoo. It was believed DCI has already invested heavily in the tourist attraction and helped build the 5000-seat bird and reptile stadium that bears its name – the Animal Planet Crocoseum.

In October 2003, Steve Irwin discussed plans to build a "Crocodile Hunter Park" with rides and interactive exhibits in Brisbane.

Mr Irwin, who died after a stingray attack in 2006, discussed plans with Brisbane's then-lord mayor Tim Quinn and looked at several sites, but it was later decided the zoo would remain at its current location.

Six months ago the zoo announced plans to expand from 28ha to 400ha.

Mrs Irwin recently won the 2008 Queensland Businesswoman of the Year award for attracting more than a million visitors a year, expanding Wildlife Warriors Worldwide, overseeing Bindi's TV and fashion career and overseeing plans for a "$100 million expansion to a wildlife version of Disneyland".

In a statement released to The Sunday Mail, Bob Irwin said he quit in order to "keep his son's dream alive".

Mrs Irwin and Australia Zoo are being sued by debt collection agency Alyssa Treasury Services Ltd.

The Australian Taxation Office is also involved in the case, which will go to trial in Victoria in October.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

'Zoo sale' report in Bob Irwin and Terri Irwin rift'

PLANS to sell Australia Zoo to a US company and build a multi-million-dollar theme park on the site may have been the wedge that has driven apart Bob and Terri Irwin.

A staff member has told The Sunday Mail that American-born Mrs Irwin plans to sell the tourist attraction to US television channel Animal Planet and move back to the US with children Bindi and Robert.

The speculation surrounding the sale and move was believed to be behind the recent rift, which saw her father-in-law, Bob Irwin, leave the zoo he started 32 years ago.

The zoo employee said the rumoured sale and $100 million Disney-style wildlife theme park was common knowledge among the zoo's 550 staff.
However an Australia Zoo spokeswoman said the leaked information was incorrect. She said Australia Zoo had not been sold to Animal Planet and Mrs Irwin had no plans to leave Australia.

The spokeswoman refused to comment on future plans that might involve Animal Planet.

Animal Planet is owned by US-based global media and entertainment company Discovery Communications Inc.

Neither Animal Planet or DCI could be reached for comment.

DCI started as the Discovery Channel in 1985 and now has 1.5 billion subscribers and 100 channels in more than 170 countries.

Animal Planet has a vested interest in the zoo. It was believed DCI has already invested heavily in the tourist attraction and helped build the 5000-seat bird and reptile stadium that bears its name – the Animal Planet Crocoseum.

In October 2003, Steve Irwin discussed plans to build a "Crocodile Hunter Park" with rides and interactive exhibits in Brisbane.

Mr Irwin, who died after a stingray attack in 2006, discussed plans with Brisbane's then-lord mayor Tim Quinn and looked at several sites, but it was later decided the zoo would remain at its current location.

Six months ago the zoo announced plans to expand from 28ha to 400ha.

Mrs Irwin recently won the 2008 Queensland Businesswoman of the Year award for attracting more than a million visitors a year, expanding Wildlife Warriors Worldwide, overseeing Bindi's TV and fashion career and overseeing plans for a "$100 million expansion to a wildlife version of Disneyland".

In a statement released to The Sunday Mail, Bob Irwin said he quit in order to "keep his son's dream alive".

Mrs Irwin and Australia Zoo are being sued by debt collection agency Alyssa Treasury Services Ltd.

The Australian Taxation Office is also involved in the case, which will go to trial in Victoria in October.

 

[lucas]

Things are sounding worse and worse!!

 

[Nutsy]

It is hey? It's such a shame too and I think Steve would be terribly upset about all this.

Funny thing is though, it was always kind of expected that Terri would up stakes and move back to the US and now it seems it may be going to happen afterall.