Croc Hunter’s Wake

Australia said goodbye to a national treasure. My heart goes out to the Irwin family- especially Bindy and Bob who will have to grow up without their hero dad.

From the AP:

Friends and fans, including Hollywood stars and Australia’s prime minister, bid farewell to “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin on Wednesday at a service that veered from poignant tributes to belly laughs.

The ceremony was carried live on three national television networks and at least one radio station. Flags on the Sydney Harbor Bridge and throughout Irwin’s home state of Queensland flew at half-staff, and giant television screens were set up for people to watch the service.

Prime Minister John Howard was among the 5,000 people who attended the ceremony at the “Crocoseum,” the small stadium in Irwin’s wildlife park where he regularly put on crocodile-feeding shows.

“Steve Irwin touched the hearts of Australians and touched the hearts of millions around the world in a very special way,” Howard said.

In a recorded video message from New York, Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe said: “It was way too soon for all of us. We have lost a friend, a champion.”

As expected, there was one empty seat at Steve Irwin’s personal stadium symbolically set aside for the late conservationist himself. On the stage sat Irwin’s widow, Terri, and their two children, Bindi, and Bob, 2 all dressed in Irwin’s favorite khaki. It was their first public appearance since Irwin’s death.

Bindi told the crowd at the ceremony that “my Daddy was my hero.”

“He was always there for me when I needed him. He listened to me and taught me so many things. But most of all he was fun,” she said.

There were lighter moments, including several video clips of Irwin’s in-your-face antics that drew laughs and applause from the crowd.

Most popular were out-takes and bloopers from his TV program, showing Irwin falling out of boats, getting bitten by lizards and forgetting his lines.

At the end of the ceremony, Irwin’s utility vehicle, packed with camping gear and his favorite surfboard, was driven from the stadium through an honor guard of Australia Zoo employees.

After the truck left the stadium, a group of employees spelled out Irwin’s catchword “Crikey” in yellow flowers on the ground.

It sounded like a very touching and appropriate tribute to Steve. I will miss him.

But this AP article featured quotes from the son of Jaque Cousteau, and he said that while he liked Steve’s conservationism, he thought that animals and nature should never be touched. Whatever, you French sissy. You are just jealous that everyone forgot about your Dad and you desperately want in on the nature documentary action. To somehow think that mankind is not part of nature and does not play the dominant role on this planet is foolish and a major tenet of eco-worship. Steve knew man’s role in nature.