Stingrays 'fall victim' to Irwin revenge attacks
Steve Irwin died last week after a stingray barb pierced his heart
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Tuesday, 12, Sep 2006 06:42
Concern is growing among Australian environmentalists that stingrays are being targeted by hunters in apparent revenge for the death of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin last week.
Around ten stingrays have been found mutilated on the shores of the eastern coast of Australia in the past few days, some with their barbs or tails cruelly hacked off.
The unusually high number of deaths could be being caused by those angry with the fish, after a stingray killed TV nature expert Steve Irwin while he was filming a documentary last week.
"We just want to make it very clear that we will not accept and not stand for anyone who's taken a form of retribution. That's the last thing Steve would want," commented the executive director of Wildlife Warriors Worldwide, an organisation owned by the late Irwin.
Stingrays are normally docile creatures and are known down under as the "pussycat of the seas" because of their placid, friendly nature.
Officials have warned divers that they will attack when threatened, however, despite Irwin's death being only the third recorded fatality at the hands of a stingray since records began.