Listen, I'm still as sad about Steve Irwin's death as the next guy. I don't normally call people "legends," but he was a legend. Most of us knew who he was without ever actually having seen "The Crocodile Hunter." He taught us so much about crocodiles, nature, and proper use of the word "crikey!" It's no question that his death in 2006 was a worldwide tragedy, one that left people with extreme anger towards stingrays, his cause of death. I see things to this day, even, cursing all stingrays for the fatal actions of ONE.
Today, I am here to provoke change.
Stingrays have always been one of my favorite animals and Steve Irwin's death did not change that. That's because I knew that we could not blame all these beautiful, flappy creatures for one person's death caused by one sting ray. Even more so, it was not without reason. The stingray simply stung a stranger who was in their territory. I'm not saying Steve Irwin had it coming, but how would you feel if an unfamiliar creature started walking around your home trying to film you?
We have to let go of our anger toward stingrays and start realizing how incredible they are. Have you ever seen pictures of the biannual stingray migration? It's an incredible sight, and to see that take place in person is definitely an item on my bucket list (and should be on yours, too). It's such a beautiful sight that it was even depicted by Disney in "Finding Dory." When you say you're angry at all stingrays, you're saying you're angry at Nemo's charming and musically talented teacher, Mr. Ray! Not to mention, have you ever gone to a touch tank at an aquarium and touched the stingrays?
In addition to their pleasantly soft exterior, they literally poke their heads and flaps out of the water to interact with you! If that isn't the cutest thing ever, I don't know what is. How could we hate a creature that is so excited to be pet that it pokes parts of its body out of the water to make it easier for you to reach?
Steve Irwin's death struck a heart string in almost all of us, but that is no reason for us to lash out toward stingrays as a whole. It's been years since it happened, and that particular stingray didn't know any better! It was just defending itself from what appeared to be immediate danger. You can't possibly tell me a human hasn't made a mistake like that since then. I think it's important that humanity stops being angry at all the sea-pancakes of the world. Instead, we should take a look at them and appreciate them for the beautiful and majestic creatures that they are and always have been.
