GU Comics by: Woody Hearn

Early this morning world famous conservationist, and director of the Australian Zoo in Queensland, Steve "the Crocodile Hunter" Irwin, died after suffering a stingray barb to the chest. Victoria Brims, a marine expert from Oceanworld Sydney, positted that the stingray was most likely startled and acted to protect itself. Steve is survived by his wife, Terri, and two children Bindi Sue and Robert.Source: CNN.Com [ more info ]

When I first heard of the Crocodile Hunter and saw some of his antics, I dismissed Steve Irwin as a nut job. But after having actually watched his show, I realized that he was a person absolutely committed to the precepts of conservation. His enthusiasm and passion were infectious, made tangible by his charisma, and spilling through the screen. His passion was undeniable. But, what stood out, in my mind, as an underlying current to every action and adventure was his desire to educate in the hopes that education would engender the respect and concern required to make conservationists out of each person watching his show.

He's left a legacy and a very large pair of shoes for someone to try to fill.

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I struggled with the idea of doing this tribute and I wasn't exactly sure why until it came time to apply the text to the comic. I just didn't have the right words to pay what I felt was a proper tribute. In my mind he's done too much for conservation to be summed up in a sentence or two. As it was I spent hours trying to find something that would be fitting without seeming trite. I dug through passages on conservation, passion, entusiam. But, in the end I decided to use his own words. I hope it convey the proper amount of appreciation for his work.

Much respect and all my best wishes go out to his family.

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