Crickey! The Croc Hunter Died.

Steve Irwin, age 44, of Queensland, Australia, passed away on September 4, 2006, as the result of fatal wounds from a wild animal.

National Geographic reported on the death of this animal lover. During an underwater filming session, a stingray stabbed Irwin in the heart. Video footage (not yet publicly available) shows Irwin removing the barb from his chest before losing consciousness. Stingrays are normally docile creatures. Irwin's was only the 3rd death by stingray in Australian history.

Steve Irwin, aka "The Crocodile Hunter," often entered into dangerous situations with crocodiles, snakes, spiders, and other wild animals. He knew that any of them could kill him. Despite the danger, Irwin passionately documented the nature of nature. In Irwin's line of work, death was a possibility. He always maintained necessary safety precautions.

At least The Crocodile Hunter died doing something that he loved. As one blogger pointed out, "People will never know him as a grizzled old man, too feeble to run around with the animals he so clearly loved. He'll forever be young, courageous, and more than a little crazy." Imagine if he had died by plane crash or heart attack. He was meant to die at nature's hand.

The greatest thing about the Crocodile Hunter was his ability to laugh at himself in his craziest moments. In a Fedex commercial (available on YouTube), Steve handles a poisonous snake. "One bite from him and it's all over." The snake bites him. "Yow! Oh. No worries, mate. Luckily we've had the anti-venom sent to America via FedEx. In my line of work, if you're not absolutely sure, you're absolutely dead." Director informs Steve they used a different carrier. "Oh, crikey." Steve keels over.