On September 4 2006 television personality and conservationist Steve Irwin died after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming an underwater documentary film titled Ocean’s Deadliest. The barbs of stingrays are not usually fatal but Irwin’s punctured his heart and he bled to death.
In the months before his death Irwin had been criticized for chasing and harassing wildlife including an incident in which he chased an ostrich on live television. Critics accused him of animal cruelty and of risking his life unnecessarily for the sake of entertainment.
Irwin’s family and friends defended his actions saying that he was passionate about wildlife and conservation and that he always put the safety of animals first. They pointed out that the ostrich incident had been taken out of context and that Irwin would never have done anything to harm an animal.
The truth is Steve Irwin was an advocate for animal rights and conservation. He did not chase the ostrich to harass it but rather to get a close look at the bird so that he could show it to the viewers at home. He was not trying to harm the ostrich and in fact he was very careful not to hurt the animal in any way.
The incident with the ostrich was just one example of Irwin’s passion for wildlife. He was always on the lookout for opportunities to learn about and film new and interesting animals. His love for animals was evident in everything he did and he will be remembered as one of the most passionate and dedicated conservationists of our time.
Did Steve Irwin chase an ostrich?
No Steve Irwin did not chase an ostrich.
