I liked the man. He was daring and he could be very close to foolish in osme of his exploits. He was entertaining and immensly enthusiastic. He brought a world to many people that could not experience it for themselves. His programs were alway very informative and sometimes quite funny.

He was truly someone to be admired. Many called him crazy, but he always knew what he was doing. Apparently the only thing that could take him down was a true freak accident. To say he was inspirational would be an understatement. He showed us the natural world like no one else had ever dared to before. The passion you saw in him is very rare. As an aspiring zoologist, I must say that his passing will hit others like me very hard. He was famous for doing what he loved, and in that way he also passed...not many people leave this earth while doing what they loved, so I'm sure he would not be upset about that. The only thing is that he left a very young family behind, which my heart goes out to.

~Zoo

I wasn't a fan, but the disrespect and venom that people are spewing on him on blogs and in the media is really sad, though. I could write pages about ways I differed with his attitudes, but that's all moot now, isn't it? I think people are just playing Nelson Muntz and pointing and laughing to make themselves feel morally superior.

Good blog. He was passionate about what he did, and his methods were unpalatable to some, but those same people generally stomach much worse in reference to their pet ideals. Kudos.

He was truly someone to be admired. Many called him crazy, but he always knew what he was doing.

 I think that says it all!  I would never take the risks he did, but he was always entertaining, and informative.  I am sorry some find glee in his death.

Thanks for the explanation! We were trying to figure it out too. I learned to appreciate reptiles because of him. Appreciating how powerful and unpredictable they were! I think it's sad that those people can't do the same and let the man alone, even in death!

Thanks for sane and balanced comments JUser friends.

I liked him, but couldn't watch his show because it was too freaky.

I liked his upbeat attitude and love of life and animals.

I think the world is a little less bright without him, as it is when all "bright lights" are extinguished.

Good article.

The poor guy didn't have the heart to deal with stingrays.   

In all seriousness, it's an irony that a man who dedicated his life to put it on the line to entertain others would die at the hands of one of those he cared for so much. Not to mention that of so many ways that he could have died, sich as bitten by snakes, eaten by crocks, attacked by lions, the guy ends up dying in the most unusual way, death by stingray. A creature known to attack only about 6 or 7 times in the past 10 years or so. The chances of this happening were very slim, yet it was, perhaps the proper way for this man to end his life. This is kind like dealing with guns for all your life yet you get killed by a butter knife.

Sad to see him go, will miss him. He was the Michael Jordan or the Tiger Woods of crock catching and snake handling. I wonder if his child will follow in his footsteps and what will his wife do now?

Thank you very very very much. Wish you luck and mercy from all the creatures around the world.