I hope this incident doesn't create an "anti-ray" mania like the movie "Jaws" did for sharks.

I grew up surfing the closest beach to home, "Ray Bay", as it's known, Seal Beach CA. (the 1 mile stretch is responsible for 1/4-1/3 of all the stingray stings in North America.)
A link
I got my got my first sting in the ankle when I was 12 yrs old. I've got a dead spot of tissue there to this day, and don't hold a thing against the animal I stepped on. Rays and skates have been around for >65 million years, we just got here.
The stinger is a purely reactionary defensive mechanism, and is not used for anything other than protection. Rays are a very interesting critter, and even come in up to 200 volt electric models.
As for Steve Irwin, not to ruffle everybody's feathers, but I think he just joins the list of senseless fools.
[Linked Image] [Linked Image] [Linked Image]
just my personal opinion





[This message has been edited by electure (edited 09-10-2006).]