The Singapore Zoo is relocating there two precious polar bears.
The ACRES is to be blamed! Animal Concerns Research & Education Society.
CAMPAIGNSPOLAR BEARSPolar Bears at Singapore Zoo: ‘What’s a Polar Bear Doing in the Tropics?’Since 2004, Acres has been in discussions with the Singapore Zoo to improve the welfare of the two polar bears held there.
Acres has called for the Singapore Zoo not only to make drastic improvements to the living conditions for the bears, but also to phase out the keeping of polar bears and other Arctic animals on welfare grounds.
Campaign introductionIn 1978, Singapore Zoo acquired polar bears, becoming one of the few zoos in Asia that held this species in captivity at that time.
Today, two polar bears are housed at the Singapore Zoo: Sheba, a female who arrived at the zoo as a two year old cub in 1978, and Inuka, her male offspring born in 1990.
Polar bears are poor candidates for captivity, even in the best of circumstances. The situation is particularly bleak for the polar bears at Singapore Zoo.
The fact that Singapore’s tropical climate is totally unsuitable for polar bears and that they live in very small, barren, open-air enclosure means that the polar bears at Singapore Zoo are subjected to living in a highly stressful environment.
The polar bears have been seen to display both behavioural (abnormal behaviours) and physical (loss of lean muscle mass and fur) signs of distress.
Since April 2004, Acres has been in discussions with the Singapore Zoo regarding the polar bears and has called for the zoo to make every effort possible to improve their living conditions so that the bears can, at the very least, express some of their natural behavioural repertoire. In 2004, Acres presented a report to the zoo containing a number of recommendations to improve the welfare of the bears in the short term.
Longer term, Acres recommended that the zoo move the bears to appropriate accommodation elsewhere since they cannot be released to the wild. However, as Sheba is already old and may not survive the relocation journey, we then recommended that Inuka (the younger bear) is relocated once Sheba passes away.
In late 2005, Acres conducted an ongoing behavioural study of the polar bears to scientifically assess the current situation of the bears.
Key findings of the four month scientific study were: Both bears exhibited signs of severe heat stress. The bears were both seen to be panting for long periods of time (36% of the time for Inuka; 38.7% of the time for Sheba), indicating that they are far too hot. The bears were also seen to be exhibiting other behaviours indicating that they were suffering from heat stress. Both polar bears displayed high levels of inactivity (43% of the time for Inuka; 65% of the time for Sheba). This is recognized as a clear indication of an abnormal animal-environment interaction, almost certainly caused by a sub-optimal environment that does not satisfy the natural, species-specific behavioural needs of the bears. Both bears engaged in high levels of abnormal stereotypic behaviour (65% of active periods for Inuka; 57% of active periods for Sheba).
The bears were at times observed to be constantly pacing or swimming in a stereotypic fashion. The occurrence of stereotypic behaviour is widely recognized as a clear indication of an abnormal animal-environment interaction and a sign of psychological disorder in captive animals.
Acres is also concerned that (as last documented March 2006) the polar bears were still seen to be made to perform unnatural behaviours in the token feeding shows such as ‘waving’, ‘belly dancing’ and ringing a bell, all of which give the public a very misleading impression of wild polar bear behaviour.
In 2006, Acres once again called for the zoo to make improvements to the living conditions and husbandry practices for the bears as a matter of urgency after considering the results of this study. Acres has provided the zoos with a list of recommendations, including lowering temperature inside the enclosure, chilling the pool water, providing more stimulation and enrichment for the bears and ending the display of unnatural behaviours in the feeding show.
Acres once again called for the zoo to commit to relocating Inuka once Sheba passes away.In the long term, Acres called for the Singapore Zoo to phase out the keeping of polar bears in captivity, following the example set by progressive zoos throughout Europe. Acres also called for Singapore Zoo to never import Arctic animals again.
ResultsAcres met up with the Singapore Zoo in June 2006 and presented the results of our scientific study.We are pleased that the Singapore Zoo has agreed to: Eventually relocate Inuka, the male polar bear, to a more suitable facility in a more appropriate climate. Not import any Arctic animals in the future.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Thursday, September 28, 2006
They need your $$$
ACRES needs support for Wildlife Rescue Centre Dear Acres supporters, We are in urgent need of funds to establish Singapore's first wildlife rescue centre.
The two hectare Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC) will provide a much needed safe haven for animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.
The AWRC will also serve as an educational facility to create awareness on the detrimental effects of the illegal wildlife trade.
The educational aspect of the AWRC will ultimately move us one step closer towards ending the illegal wildlife trade. We will be taking over the land next month and we need to raise more than a million Singapore dollars to make the AWRC a reality.
We have raised about $7,000 so far and urgently need your help. The AWRC will provide a home for more than 400 animals and you can help make a difference for each of these animal's lives. Please consider making a donation in support of this very important project.
Please forward this email to your family and friends and help spread the word on this critical project which will save hundreds of lives.
More on the ACRES website including how to donate and more about the AWRC On behalf of the animals, thank you for your kind support. Best wishes, Louis Ng (MSc) President and Executive Director Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres)www.acres.org.sg 11 Pasir Ris Farmway 2 Singapore 519326 (O): +65 6581 2488 (F): +65 6581 6318 (HP): +65 9796 8592 Join us on 30th September (Saturday) for our first fundraising event for the Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC).
To raise funds for the AWRC, Acres will be holding a vegetarian barbeque along with some fun activities and games. Acres will also be providing more details about the AWRC on the night.
To purchase a ticket ($20), please call Acres at 6581 2488 or email us at info@acres.org.sg All proceeds will go towards the establishment of the rescue centre. Venue: Mutts and Mittens, 11 Pasir Ris Farmway 2 Singapore 519326 (opposite the Pet Hotel) Date: 30th September (Saturday) Time: 6pm until late We look forward to seeing you at the event!
The two hectare Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC) will provide a much needed safe haven for animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.
The AWRC will also serve as an educational facility to create awareness on the detrimental effects of the illegal wildlife trade.
The educational aspect of the AWRC will ultimately move us one step closer towards ending the illegal wildlife trade. We will be taking over the land next month and we need to raise more than a million Singapore dollars to make the AWRC a reality.
We have raised about $7,000 so far and urgently need your help. The AWRC will provide a home for more than 400 animals and you can help make a difference for each of these animal's lives. Please consider making a donation in support of this very important project.
Please forward this email to your family and friends and help spread the word on this critical project which will save hundreds of lives.
More on the ACRES website including how to donate and more about the AWRC On behalf of the animals, thank you for your kind support. Best wishes, Louis Ng (MSc) President and Executive Director Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres)www.acres.org.sg 11 Pasir Ris Farmway 2 Singapore 519326 (O): +65 6581 2488 (F): +65 6581 6318 (HP): +65 9796 8592 Join us on 30th September (Saturday) for our first fundraising event for the Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC).
To raise funds for the AWRC, Acres will be holding a vegetarian barbeque along with some fun activities and games. Acres will also be providing more details about the AWRC on the night.
To purchase a ticket ($20), please call Acres at 6581 2488 or email us at info@acres.org.sg All proceeds will go towards the establishment of the rescue centre. Venue: Mutts and Mittens, 11 Pasir Ris Farmway 2 Singapore 519326 (opposite the Pet Hotel) Date: 30th September (Saturday) Time: 6pm until late We look forward to seeing you at the event!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Animals at Singapore Zoo benefit from enrichment programme
Elephants and orang utans are among the animals getting a mental lift at the Singapore Zoo.
The keepers at the zoo are running a programme to help the animals stay sharp and experience situations that they would in the wild.
Polar bears Sheba and Inuka are residents at Singapore Zoo, but life can get a bit boring in their small enclosure, so keepers have been feeding the bears food in blocks of ice, so they've got to use their wits to break the ice and get at the food. (Both maybe transferred soon)
The idea of the enrichment programme is to stimulate the animals brains.
For the orang utans, the keepers have designed a task for them to get fruit out of a box.
The apes have to push the fruit through a tunnel to the other side before they get their reward.
For the elephants, life is a little different. When the elephants are idle, the keepers say they can begin to show neurotic behaviour like shaking their heads and bodies.
To combat this, the keepers get the elephants to play games, such as knocking a barrel filled with fruit until the fruit comes out, or blowing fruit out of a tree trunk.
The keepers are confident the programme works.
"We can also see the animals display, they move around a lot they seem to be enjoying their environment. But if you think the animal is not enjoying it most of the time the animal sits alone in a corner and they look at bit depressed," said Sam Chellaiyah, curator, Singapore Zoo.
The monkeys have to figure out how to get the fruit from the barrel as part of the programme which has been refined over 30 years.
"In a way we actually try to improve the ideas as we go along. Basically enrichment is trial and error especially for new devices, some devices work and some don't," said Diana Marlena, enrichment officer, Singapore Zoo.
The keepers say the enrichment goes a long way to keeping the animals alert and happy.
The keepers at the zoo are running a programme to help the animals stay sharp and experience situations that they would in the wild.
Polar bears Sheba and Inuka are residents at Singapore Zoo, but life can get a bit boring in their small enclosure, so keepers have been feeding the bears food in blocks of ice, so they've got to use their wits to break the ice and get at the food. (Both maybe transferred soon)
The idea of the enrichment programme is to stimulate the animals brains.
For the orang utans, the keepers have designed a task for them to get fruit out of a box.
The apes have to push the fruit through a tunnel to the other side before they get their reward.
For the elephants, life is a little different. When the elephants are idle, the keepers say they can begin to show neurotic behaviour like shaking their heads and bodies.
To combat this, the keepers get the elephants to play games, such as knocking a barrel filled with fruit until the fruit comes out, or blowing fruit out of a tree trunk.
The keepers are confident the programme works.
"We can also see the animals display, they move around a lot they seem to be enjoying their environment. But if you think the animal is not enjoying it most of the time the animal sits alone in a corner and they look at bit depressed," said Sam Chellaiyah, curator, Singapore Zoo.
The monkeys have to figure out how to get the fruit from the barrel as part of the programme which has been refined over 30 years.
"In a way we actually try to improve the ideas as we go along. Basically enrichment is trial and error especially for new devices, some devices work and some don't," said Diana Marlena, enrichment officer, Singapore Zoo.
The keepers say the enrichment goes a long way to keeping the animals alert and happy.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Farewell Our Friend
A khaki-clad choir, Hollywood stars and thousands of ordinary Australians bid farewell to "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin at a memorial service at the famous TV naturalist's "Crocoseum" on Wednesday.
The service, broadcast live around Australia as well as across Asia and the United States, brought the nation to a standstill 16 days after Irwin, 44, was killed when the serrated barb from a stingray's tail pierced his heart.
"Please don't grieve for Steve, he's at peace now, but I'd like you to grieve for the animals, for the animals have lost the best friend they ever had, and so have I," Irwin's father Bob told the service.
A koala slumbered in a gum tree next to the stage and Irwin's tearful US-born wife Terri held their young son Robert in her lap as Irwin's family -- all wearing Irwin's trademark khaki shorts and shirts -- said their public goodbye.
"My daddy was my hero, he was always there for me when I needed him," Irwin's eight-year-old daughter Bindi said after walking onto the "Crocoseum" stage to a standing ovation.
"We filmed together, caught crocodiles together and loved being in the bush together. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did," she said, her finger running over the words as she read her farewell.
Irwin's family and friends held a private funeral at his beloved Australia Zoo 11 days ago, telling stories around a campfire.
His 46 "Crocodile Hunter" documentaries were watched by 200 million people around the world and his death prompted an international outpouring of grief, clogging Web sites while fans piled floral tributes outside his zoo.
'Crikey'
Politicians, actors, champion boxers and football stars were among a crowd of about 5,000 at the "Crocoseum," the centrepiece of the zoo in tropical Queensland state.
Australian folk singer John Williamson led fans and a khaki-clad choir in a rousing rendition of some of Irwin's favorite songs, including the Australian hit "True Blue," in a largely upbeat service.
Taped tributes were played from Irwin's Oscar-winning actor friend Russell Crowe, Hollywood stars Kevin Costner and Cameron Diaz, and US singer Justin Timberlake.
Diaz and talk-show host Larry King said Irwin had an uncanny ability to reach children.
"America just flipped for him, every kid was in love with the idea of being able to be him," Diaz said.
Irwin grew up around wild animals, trapping crocodiles and releasing them in his parent's reptile park that would later become Australia Zoo, but never gained any professional degrees.
University of Queensland animal researcher Professor Craig Franklin said the university was about to award Irwin an adjunct chair for his work with crocodiles when it learned of his death.
"Professor Steve Irwin," Franklin declared.
Prime Minister John Howard was also among the dignitaries at the farewell and praised Irwin's zest for life, telling the crowd Australia had lost a remarkable man.
Crowe said from New York that Irwin's death "was completely unfair."
"We've all lost a friend, we've lost a champion," Crowe said.
In a final tribute, Australia Zoo staff spelled out Irwin's catchphrase "Crikey" in yellow flowers as Irwin's truck was driven from the "Crocoseum" for the last time to end the service.
The service, broadcast live around Australia as well as across Asia and the United States, brought the nation to a standstill 16 days after Irwin, 44, was killed when the serrated barb from a stingray's tail pierced his heart.
"Please don't grieve for Steve, he's at peace now, but I'd like you to grieve for the animals, for the animals have lost the best friend they ever had, and so have I," Irwin's father Bob told the service.
A koala slumbered in a gum tree next to the stage and Irwin's tearful US-born wife Terri held their young son Robert in her lap as Irwin's family -- all wearing Irwin's trademark khaki shorts and shirts -- said their public goodbye.
"My daddy was my hero, he was always there for me when I needed him," Irwin's eight-year-old daughter Bindi said after walking onto the "Crocoseum" stage to a standing ovation.
"We filmed together, caught crocodiles together and loved being in the bush together. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did," she said, her finger running over the words as she read her farewell.
Irwin's family and friends held a private funeral at his beloved Australia Zoo 11 days ago, telling stories around a campfire.
His 46 "Crocodile Hunter" documentaries were watched by 200 million people around the world and his death prompted an international outpouring of grief, clogging Web sites while fans piled floral tributes outside his zoo.
'Crikey'
Politicians, actors, champion boxers and football stars were among a crowd of about 5,000 at the "Crocoseum," the centrepiece of the zoo in tropical Queensland state.
Australian folk singer John Williamson led fans and a khaki-clad choir in a rousing rendition of some of Irwin's favorite songs, including the Australian hit "True Blue," in a largely upbeat service.
Taped tributes were played from Irwin's Oscar-winning actor friend Russell Crowe, Hollywood stars Kevin Costner and Cameron Diaz, and US singer Justin Timberlake.
Diaz and talk-show host Larry King said Irwin had an uncanny ability to reach children.
"America just flipped for him, every kid was in love with the idea of being able to be him," Diaz said.
Irwin grew up around wild animals, trapping crocodiles and releasing them in his parent's reptile park that would later become Australia Zoo, but never gained any professional degrees.
University of Queensland animal researcher Professor Craig Franklin said the university was about to award Irwin an adjunct chair for his work with crocodiles when it learned of his death.
"Professor Steve Irwin," Franklin declared.
Prime Minister John Howard was also among the dignitaries at the farewell and praised Irwin's zest for life, telling the crowd Australia had lost a remarkable man.
Crowe said from New York that Irwin's death "was completely unfair."
"We've all lost a friend, we've lost a champion," Crowe said.
In a final tribute, Australia Zoo staff spelled out Irwin's catchphrase "Crikey" in yellow flowers as Irwin's truck was driven from the "Crocoseum" for the last time to end the service.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Poor OrangUtans
Political turmoil in Thailand has postponed the planned repatriation of 46 smuggled orangutans to their habitat in Indonesia, but the Indonesian government expressed hope Thursday they will be able to return home within one or two weeks.
"The process of the repatriation is not easy...we have to delay the plan because of political uncertainties" in Thailand, Adi Susmiyanto, director of conservation and biodiversity at the Forestry Ministry, told a press conference.
The great apes, which were smuggled to Thailand a few years ago from Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo Island, had been expected to arrive in Jakarta on Saturday to a gala welcome by first lady Ani Yudhoyono.
"The Indonesian government has lost contact with our partners in the Thai government who were decision-makers," Susmiyanto said.
The Thai military staged a coup Tuesday, ousting Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra while he was visiting New York to attend the opening session of the U.N. General Assembly.
Susmiyanto said he hopes the orangutans will be repatriated within two weeks after an interim government is established in Thailand as announced by Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin, leader of the Council of Administrative Reform that carried out the coup.
The long-haired apes are to be sent to the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Center in Central Kalimantan where they are to receive help in making the transition to life in the wild before actually being released in the jungle.
DNA tests in Thailand confirmed that 48 orangutans at Pratubacahang Center private zoo in Bangkok were members of the Borneo species. The other species is found on Sumatra Island.
Jakarta has donated seven of the 48 orangutans who suffer from hepatitis B to the Thai government for research.
The Thai government was also to give back another five orangutans seized from Chiangmai Night Safari, bringing the number of orangutans to be repatriated to Indonesia to 46.
The population of orangutans on Borneo is declining due to unchecked logging and poaching. The Forestry Ministry estimates the number of orangutans in Kalimantan at 35,000.
In July, Indonesia got back two orangutans that had been smuggled to Vietnam and six from Malaysia. Talks with Malaysia are now under way on five other smuggled orangutans and one with Saudi Arabia.
According to the Jakarta-based international nongovernmental organization Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, over the last three years a total of 94 orangutans have been confiscated in Thailand, of which 41 have disappeared or died.
The foundation has posted a story on its website alleging that the five orangutans in Chiangmai have been exploited as photo props, making direct contact with hundreds of visitors daily and being exposed to disease and extreme stress.
Susmiyanto said the orangutans are usually smuggled when they are still babies, taken from their mothers who are killed. They are carried in wooden fishing boats, mostly to Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.
"The process of the repatriation is not easy...we have to delay the plan because of political uncertainties" in Thailand, Adi Susmiyanto, director of conservation and biodiversity at the Forestry Ministry, told a press conference.
The great apes, which were smuggled to Thailand a few years ago from Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo Island, had been expected to arrive in Jakarta on Saturday to a gala welcome by first lady Ani Yudhoyono.
"The Indonesian government has lost contact with our partners in the Thai government who were decision-makers," Susmiyanto said.
The Thai military staged a coup Tuesday, ousting Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra while he was visiting New York to attend the opening session of the U.N. General Assembly.
Susmiyanto said he hopes the orangutans will be repatriated within two weeks after an interim government is established in Thailand as announced by Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin, leader of the Council of Administrative Reform that carried out the coup.
The long-haired apes are to be sent to the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Center in Central Kalimantan where they are to receive help in making the transition to life in the wild before actually being released in the jungle.
DNA tests in Thailand confirmed that 48 orangutans at Pratubacahang Center private zoo in Bangkok were members of the Borneo species. The other species is found on Sumatra Island.
Jakarta has donated seven of the 48 orangutans who suffer from hepatitis B to the Thai government for research.
The Thai government was also to give back another five orangutans seized from Chiangmai Night Safari, bringing the number of orangutans to be repatriated to Indonesia to 46.
The population of orangutans on Borneo is declining due to unchecked logging and poaching. The Forestry Ministry estimates the number of orangutans in Kalimantan at 35,000.
In July, Indonesia got back two orangutans that had been smuggled to Vietnam and six from Malaysia. Talks with Malaysia are now under way on five other smuggled orangutans and one with Saudi Arabia.
According to the Jakarta-based international nongovernmental organization Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, over the last three years a total of 94 orangutans have been confiscated in Thailand, of which 41 have disappeared or died.
The foundation has posted a story on its website alleging that the five orangutans in Chiangmai have been exploited as photo props, making direct contact with hundreds of visitors daily and being exposed to disease and extreme stress.
Susmiyanto said the orangutans are usually smuggled when they are still babies, taken from their mothers who are killed. They are carried in wooden fishing boats, mostly to Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
No more animals from the Arctic: S'pore Zoo
After the complaint by International animal lovers, Singapore Zoo decided to release the Polar Bears... Sad!
The Singapore Zoo will no longer import animals from the Arctic, following concerns raised by an animal welfare group about the zoo's resident polar bears, Sheba and her son Inuku.
In a media statement on Wednesday, the Animal Research and Education Society (Acres) said it has raised "serious welfare concerns" over the two bears after a four-month undercover operation. The findings were presented to the zoo in June.
In the investigation, Acres found that the bears exhibited severe signs of heat stress, were highly inactive and displayed "abnormal stereotypic" manners in their swimming or pacing during their active periods.
The last two behaviours are psychological indicators that the bears are not coping well with their environment, it said. "There is no doubt that polar bears are poor candidates for captivity. They are extremely wide-ranging, highly intelligent, cold weather carnivores, so they are extremely problematic when housed in captivity," said Acres.
In response to queries, the Singapore Zoo confirmed that it will not bring in anymore Arctic animals. This is because it aims to be a "rainforest zoo", focusing on tropical rainforest animals. It also reiterated that the bears are housed in good conditions, citing the birth of Inuka - the first polar bear born in the tropics - as evidence.
However, as part of an "animal exchange programme", the 16-year-old Inuka will soon be heading for cooler climates.
Then, the zoo's executive director Fanny Lai said that this animal exchange was part of efforts to "contribute to the worldwide captive gene pool and help propagate the species".
The Singapore Zoo will no longer import animals from the Arctic, following concerns raised by an animal welfare group about the zoo's resident polar bears, Sheba and her son Inuku.
In a media statement on Wednesday, the Animal Research and Education Society (Acres) said it has raised "serious welfare concerns" over the two bears after a four-month undercover operation. The findings were presented to the zoo in June.
In the investigation, Acres found that the bears exhibited severe signs of heat stress, were highly inactive and displayed "abnormal stereotypic" manners in their swimming or pacing during their active periods.
The last two behaviours are psychological indicators that the bears are not coping well with their environment, it said. "There is no doubt that polar bears are poor candidates for captivity. They are extremely wide-ranging, highly intelligent, cold weather carnivores, so they are extremely problematic when housed in captivity," said Acres.
In response to queries, the Singapore Zoo confirmed that it will not bring in anymore Arctic animals. This is because it aims to be a "rainforest zoo", focusing on tropical rainforest animals. It also reiterated that the bears are housed in good conditions, citing the birth of Inuka - the first polar bear born in the tropics - as evidence.
However, as part of an "animal exchange programme", the 16-year-old Inuka will soon be heading for cooler climates.
Then, the zoo's executive director Fanny Lai said that this animal exchange was part of efforts to "contribute to the worldwide captive gene pool and help propagate the species".
Monday, September 04, 2006
A Friend of Singapore Zoo- Steve Irwin
Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality and conservationist known as the "Crocodile Hunter," was killed Monday by a stingray while filming off the Great Barrier Reef. He was 44.
Irwin was at Batt Reef, off the remote coast of northeastern Queensland state, shooting a segment for a series called "Ocean's Deadliest" when he swam too close to one of the animals, which have a poisonous barb on their tails, his friend and colleague John Stainton said.
"He came on top of the stingray and the stingray's barb went up and into his chest and put a hole into his heart," said Stainton, who was on board Irwin's boat at the time.
Crew members aboard the boat, Croc One, called emergency services in the nearest city, Cairns, and administered CPR as they rushed the boat to nearby Low Isle to meet a rescue helicopter. Medical staff pronounced Irwin dead when they arrived a short time later, Stainton said.
Irwin was famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchword "Crikey!" in his television program "Crocodile Hunter." First broadcast in Australia in 1992, the program was picked up by the Discovery network, catapulting Irwin to international celebrity.
He rode his image into a feature film, 2002's "The Crocodile Hunters: Collision Course" and developed the wildlife park that his parents opened, Australia Zoo, into a major tourist attraction.
"The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet," Stainton told reporters in Cairns. "He died doing what he loved best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. He would have said, 'Crocs Rule!'"
Prime Minister John Howard, who hand-picked Irwin to attend a gala barbecue to honor President Bush when he visited in 2003, said he was "shocked and distressed at Steve Irwin's sudden, untimely and freakish death."
"It's a huge loss to Australia," Howard told reporters. "He was a wonderful character. He was a passionate environmentalist. He brought joy and entertainment and excitement to millions of people."
Irwin, who made a trademark of hovering dangerously close to untethered crocodiles and leaping on their backs, spoke in rapid-fire bursts with a thick Australian accent and was almost never seen without his uniform of khaki shorts and shirt and heavy boots.
Wild animal expert Jack Hanna, who frequently appears on TV with his subjects, offered praise for Irwin.
"Steve was one of these guys, we thought of him as invincible," Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo and Aquarium, told ABC's "Good Morning America" Monday.
"The guy was incredible. His knowledge was incredible," Hanna said. "Some people that are doing this stuff are actors and that type of thing, but Steve was truly a zoologist, so to speak, a person who knew what he was doing. Yes, he did things a lot of people wouldn't do. I think he knew what he was doing."
Irwin's ebullience was infectious and Australian officials sought him out for photo opportunities and to promote Australia internationally.
His public image was dented, however, in 2004 when he caused an uproar by holding his infant son in one arm while feeding large crocodiles inside a zoo pen. Irwin claimed at the time there was no danger to the child, and authorities declined to charge Irwin with violating safety regulations.
Later that year, he was accused of getting too close to penguins, a seal and humpback whales in Antarctica while making a documentary. Irwin denied any wrongdoing, and an Australian Environment Department investigation recommended no action be taken against him.
Stingrays have a serrated, toxin-loaded barb, or spine, on the top of their tail. The barb, which can be up to 10 inches long, flexes if a ray is frightened. Stings usually occur to people when they step on or swim too close to a ray and can be excruciatingly painful but are rarely fatal, said University of Queensland marine neuroscientist Shaun Collin.
Collin said he suspected Irwin died because the barb pierced under his ribcage and directly into his heart.
"It was extraordinarily bad luck. It's not easy to get spined by a stingray and to be killed by one is very rare," Collin said.
News of Irwin's death spread quickly, and tributes flowed from all quarters of society.
At Australia Zoo at Beerwah, south Queensland, floral tributes were dropped at the entrance, where a huge fake crocodile gapes. Drivers honked their horns as they passed.
"Steve, from all God's creatures, thank you. Rest in peace," was written on a card with a bouquet of native flowers.
"We're all very shocked. I don't know what the zoo will do without him. He's done so much for us, the environment and it's a big loss," said Paula Kelly, a local resident and volunteer at the zoo, after dropping off a wreath at the gate.
Stainton said Irwin's American-born wife Terri, from Eugene, Ore., had been informed of his death, and had told their daughter Bindi Sue, 8, and son Bob, who will turn 3 in December.
The couple met when she went on vacation in Australia in 1991 and visited Irwin's Australia Zoo; they were married six months later. Sometimes referred to as the "Crocodile Huntress," she costarred on her husband's television show and in his 2002 movie.
Irwin was at Batt Reef, off the remote coast of northeastern Queensland state, shooting a segment for a series called "Ocean's Deadliest" when he swam too close to one of the animals, which have a poisonous barb on their tails, his friend and colleague John Stainton said.
"He came on top of the stingray and the stingray's barb went up and into his chest and put a hole into his heart," said Stainton, who was on board Irwin's boat at the time.
Crew members aboard the boat, Croc One, called emergency services in the nearest city, Cairns, and administered CPR as they rushed the boat to nearby Low Isle to meet a rescue helicopter. Medical staff pronounced Irwin dead when they arrived a short time later, Stainton said.
Irwin was famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchword "Crikey!" in his television program "Crocodile Hunter." First broadcast in Australia in 1992, the program was picked up by the Discovery network, catapulting Irwin to international celebrity.
He rode his image into a feature film, 2002's "The Crocodile Hunters: Collision Course" and developed the wildlife park that his parents opened, Australia Zoo, into a major tourist attraction.
"The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet," Stainton told reporters in Cairns. "He died doing what he loved best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. He would have said, 'Crocs Rule!'"
Prime Minister John Howard, who hand-picked Irwin to attend a gala barbecue to honor President Bush when he visited in 2003, said he was "shocked and distressed at Steve Irwin's sudden, untimely and freakish death."
"It's a huge loss to Australia," Howard told reporters. "He was a wonderful character. He was a passionate environmentalist. He brought joy and entertainment and excitement to millions of people."
Irwin, who made a trademark of hovering dangerously close to untethered crocodiles and leaping on their backs, spoke in rapid-fire bursts with a thick Australian accent and was almost never seen without his uniform of khaki shorts and shirt and heavy boots.
Wild animal expert Jack Hanna, who frequently appears on TV with his subjects, offered praise for Irwin.
"Steve was one of these guys, we thought of him as invincible," Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo and Aquarium, told ABC's "Good Morning America" Monday.
"The guy was incredible. His knowledge was incredible," Hanna said. "Some people that are doing this stuff are actors and that type of thing, but Steve was truly a zoologist, so to speak, a person who knew what he was doing. Yes, he did things a lot of people wouldn't do. I think he knew what he was doing."
Irwin's ebullience was infectious and Australian officials sought him out for photo opportunities and to promote Australia internationally.
His public image was dented, however, in 2004 when he caused an uproar by holding his infant son in one arm while feeding large crocodiles inside a zoo pen. Irwin claimed at the time there was no danger to the child, and authorities declined to charge Irwin with violating safety regulations.
Later that year, he was accused of getting too close to penguins, a seal and humpback whales in Antarctica while making a documentary. Irwin denied any wrongdoing, and an Australian Environment Department investigation recommended no action be taken against him.
Stingrays have a serrated, toxin-loaded barb, or spine, on the top of their tail. The barb, which can be up to 10 inches long, flexes if a ray is frightened. Stings usually occur to people when they step on or swim too close to a ray and can be excruciatingly painful but are rarely fatal, said University of Queensland marine neuroscientist Shaun Collin.
Collin said he suspected Irwin died because the barb pierced under his ribcage and directly into his heart.
"It was extraordinarily bad luck. It's not easy to get spined by a stingray and to be killed by one is very rare," Collin said.
News of Irwin's death spread quickly, and tributes flowed from all quarters of society.
At Australia Zoo at Beerwah, south Queensland, floral tributes were dropped at the entrance, where a huge fake crocodile gapes. Drivers honked their horns as they passed.
"Steve, from all God's creatures, thank you. Rest in peace," was written on a card with a bouquet of native flowers.
"We're all very shocked. I don't know what the zoo will do without him. He's done so much for us, the environment and it's a big loss," said Paula Kelly, a local resident and volunteer at the zoo, after dropping off a wreath at the gate.
Stainton said Irwin's American-born wife Terri, from Eugene, Ore., had been informed of his death, and had told their daughter Bindi Sue, 8, and son Bob, who will turn 3 in December.
The couple met when she went on vacation in Australia in 1991 and visited Irwin's Australia Zoo; they were married six months later. Sometimes referred to as the "Crocodile Huntress," she costarred on her husband's television show and in his 2002 movie.
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