CRIKEY!

The Steve Irwin "The Crocodile Hunter" Memorial Geocoin

I designed this special coin in honor of my hero,

Steve Irwin--"The Crocodile Hunter"

The first run of the CRIKEY! Fundraiser coin is now sold out and all profits from the sale of this coin were donated to Wildlife Warriors Worldwide Ltd. to support Steve and Terri Irwin's ongoing work preserving and conserving the wildlife and wild places that need it the most.

Although the first minting of the Crikey! Fundraiser Geocoin has sold out I will do another run of Crikey! Fundraiser Geocoins if the demand is shown. Please take the poll below or email me to show your interest--thanks.

Steve and Terri Irwin started Wildlife Warriors in 2002 "...as a way to include and involve other caring people to support the protection of injured, threatened or endangered wildlife--from the individual animal to an entire species." (from the Wildlife Warriors Worldwide website)

Some of Wildlife Warriors projects include:

The Australian Wildlife Hospital

Species and Habitat Conservation (Asia)

Crocodile Rescue and Research (International)

Community Education (International)

Emergency Wildlife Response (including the Tsunami project)

And there is now a branch of Wildlife Warriors in Eugene Oregon--Terri Irwin's hometown!

Please read on to learn about the Crikey! Fundraiser Geocoin's story--but first click the Radio Irwin button below to listen to Steve as you read--CRIKEY Mate it's flat out like a lizard drinkin!

Listen to Radio Irwin!

Background Story

On September 04, 2006 Steve Irwin tragically lost his life doing what he loved best. Steve was filming some footage for an underwater documentary and working with a Stingray when it struck resulting in his death. Steve was in the peak of his life and his career; he had developed his parents' tiny reptile park where he grew up into the world-class Australia Zoo that it is today. His passion for wildlife, compassion for animals, his co-workers and especially his family and his active involvement in wildlife and habitat conservation were infectious to almost all who watched his shows on Animal Planet or at his Zoo. Steve loved his animals but he loved his family more than words can say, you could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice when he was speaking of them in his shows. Steve was the real deal--he was True Blue

Steve leaves behind his beautiful wife Terri and two children Bindi Sue and Robert to operate the zoo and carry on his grand conservation vision.

Steve referred to himself as a Wildlife Warrior and as I mentioned above he founded the conservation organization known as Wildlife Warriors Worldwide where he put the funds he generated from his films, Zoo and donations from people like you and me to good use protecting the wildlife and habitats that he was so passionate about. Wildlife Warriors has purchased thousands of acres of sensitive wildlife habitat areas in order to preserve these areas for the benefit of the wildlife that live there. They also operate the Australian Wildlife Hospital that cares for injured, sick and orphaned Australian wildlife, rehabilitating them and releasing them back into the wild. Please take a look at the Wildlife Warriors Worldwide website for a full description of their objectives, goals and projects.

The Crocodile Hunter's story is the story of a humble man with a great passion for life, for his family, for the planets wildlife and the environment in which we all live. Steve Irwin The Crocodile Hunter was probably one of the best known Australians in recent history and more than that he truly changed our world for the better.

Thank you Steve Irwin for your brief but oh so important time here on Earth.

More about "CRIKEY!" - the Steve Irwin memorial Geocoin.

So why have I designed this coin--at first you may think that a simple coin doesn't seem like much of a memorial to a man that had such a great influence on so many people all over the world. This is much more than a simple coin. I designed this coin to benefit Wildlife Warriors Worldwide. ALL money generated (save production costs) from the sale of this memorial coin will be directly donated to Wildlife Warriors to be used for the conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat that Steve Irwin was so passionate about protecting.

I also hope this coin will serve not only as a reminder of the man Steve Irwin but also as a reminder of his message of the great importance of wildlife conservation and public education about wildlife and their relationship to mankind. The Crikey coin's insert will carry the web address of this website and hopefully, those who hold this coin will view this website and be inspired to donate further to the conservation of wildlife and wild places through Wildlife Warriors then together we can all all help make a real difference in wildlife conservation worldwide. I would also wish that as the coins are bought, sold and traded in the years that follow their initial sale, that the people that acquire them will feel it in their hearts to donate further to the Wildlife Warriors Worldwide cause.

Check outthe Crikey Fundraiser geocoins that Geocachers all over the world have sent out on missions of conservation! These tiny coins will continue to spread Steve Irwin's message of wildlife conservation and understanding to the world for years to come. Thank you to the hundreds of geocachers that have bought Crikey coins to support wildlife conservation!

Some of you may say what good would a few hundred or even a few thousand dollars do toward the Wildlife Warriors Worldwide conservation goal--all I can say is that every cent counts. It all adds up and in the end and your purchase of just one coin will help save the life of an injured Koala, rescue a Carpet Python, rehabilitate a sea turtle, help purchase habitat for an Asian Elephant or provide funds for the ongoing research with Tasmanian Devils that have been stricken with a deadly contagious disease (Devil Facial Tumor Disease) that is threatening to wipe them out of existence! I know from experience that every cent truly does count because I once helped a friend operate a non-profit nature center that ran primarily on donations. Every donation, no matter how small, went to the animals food, heath care, habitat construction, utilities and so on--so all donations DO make a difference.

Take a look at this tribute video I put together from all of the photos that geocachers carrying Crikey! coins have taken during their travels!

Now check out some of the comments below that have been left by geocachers who hold Crikey! coins that are traveling all over the world spreading Steve's wildlife conservation message!

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wsgaskins: This one was a'beauty! Look at the size of this one, mate! She's almost 3" long all wrapped around the edge here. She's got a nice brass tone to 'er and it looks like she's really healthy. For this one, in 'er natural habitat like this, you have to approach 'er very carefully.

I first spotted 'er trying to hide in the bottom of a large bin with "anywhere" written on the side. I made a quick grab for the tail and crikey was she mad! She squirmed back into the tub before I could grab a'hold of 'er snout so I dove back in and wrestled 'er out again. Good thing for me that she was already bound in that plastic disc, or I may well have lost my hand.

For these beauties, the best place for 'em is to hide them in a nice dark spot and they calm right down, so I carefully placed 'er in my rucksack, determined to find a good home away from all the fuss. The next day, I'm bushwhacking out to find a good temporary 'ome for 'er and as I approach, there is none other than the other legend in this field - MaxB On The River! They've been wrestling the likes of this little trav'ler since before I even picked up a GPS. 9000+ TB's they've moved! Man, wow - that's a lot of bugs I'll tell you. And taken good care of ev'ry one! I had the fortune a few months ago to move a bug that they had rehabilitated in their care. That bug had been in sad shape until the MaxB crew cleaned it up and re-tagged it for release into the wild again. They are great stewards of the wildlife here. Mate, I'll say again, you won't meet a better couple for how they take care of injured and abandoned TB's.

Well, knew that I didn't have much chance of leaving this little beaut' here in this RBC box, with MaxB hanging around. Soon as I brought 'er out of my pack, MaxB's experienced hand was quick to grab hold of the bag and shield 'er from the harsh light. She's in safe hands, that's for sure!

Well, that's all of my tale for today. For sure MaxB On The River will take 'er places far and wide - to see the sights well beyond these urban waters of Raleigh,NC. Safe travels little croc!

fuzziebear3: I couldn't resist putting a crocodile in Lake Erie!!

BlackBrownDog: Off the island and to the Mardi Gras!

Run-Ride-Kayak-Hide Cache On The Side: Cool coin. This one is headed up into an area not usually populated by Crocks - The Tahoe Nation Forest & Mother Lode area of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Since Crocks can be elusive and like to hide in and around water, perhaps we'll make him a 49er Crock! Imagine 1849, you're looking for Gold on the Middle Fork of the American River in the Mother Lode and you find a Crock instead. Wow, what an imagination. Ciao!

The Saints: Found this nice little bug while doing maintenance at the EEEEWWWW Lagoon. We will do our best to advance it on it's voyage to keep the goodness going.

Tony-Trekker: We are going to give Steve's Geo-coin a lift. We always admired him for his dedication to teaching us about wildlife.

FSU*Noles: wow, this is a sweet coin, it's way bigger and heavier than I thought it would be! Cool coin, the kids fought over it until I wrestled it away from them...I'll find it a good new home soon. Thanks for sharing!

Punksoulbrother: Since I say the word "Crikey" like 10 times a day for the last 10 years I thought I should pick this coin up and have me self a look bloaks. Crikey, it almost bit my hand off taking it out of the cache. I better find him a new home soon.

Edisto Patto: Coin in tribute to Steve Irwin and to raise funds to continue his work ...

happyhelpr: beautiful coin-thanks for sharing- will help him move along to the ocean.

snowball's-keepers: Way cool coin for a way cool cause! My son LOVED!! this guy when he was littler. Thanks for putting it out there!

JAMM: I hope you enjoyed your time in the Caribbean sea. Next stop will be closer to the Atlantic which is a lot colder.

renegade9: Saw this one today at the Event in Seoul Norimadang Park.

LTD.Hubb: DS'ed on Zamami Island (Japan).

MargieGerlach: The Geo-Pirates in Branson, Missouri found Crikey in our Pirate's Treasure Chest. We will be on a field trip this weekend and intend to drop him at the Henning Conservation area. Arrrh!

rtreevers:By Crikey this is a cool coin! Me thinks he needs a swampy area to visit.

USAFSP: Crikey!! its a beaut!! thanks for sharing!!

daimler ute: Found lurking in Hobart hills, will move to lower ground closer to more crocs in Queensland. Daimler Ute.

S2333: Now he will be visiting the harsh swamplands of...Perth. Those commuters are different people in their natural habitat...

lakedawgs: The coin was created to celebrate the life of Steve Irwin. To honor Steve's memory, we'd like to see this coin visit various animal sanctuaries and other locations helping and protecting animals around the world. Tell us about any places the coin encounters and what good things they're doing. About this item: If you're interested in buying a Crikey coin of your own, donating time and/or money to wildlife conservation or both, please follow this link to Crikey's site: http://www.geocities.com/thesolorover/crikeycoin.html

vladka&lup: We found it in multicash Schonbrunn in Wien. We took it to Czech republic. Thanks for nice coin.

ronbo: Got this one out of the Goat Pen and will move along.

Team Psychopuppy: Crikey! Excellent!

OzGuff: My father (Paradise Found) will be visiting Asheville in early December. Since he lives about 30 minutes from Australia Zoo I will give him the geocoin so that he can place it into my Crikey! [AUS] cache.

OzGuff: Next stop Down Under...

Paradise Found: Will be placing this is a Cache on Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Paradise Found: Geocoin was handed into Australia Zoo - December 29 - for permission to have geocoin handed to Bob Bob, Terri and Bindi for photographs - and/or to make personal contact. Commercial management have been considering action since then and - unfortunately - no action, even though I have phoned each week. Terri and Bindi are in USA at present and will be there until Mid-March. Hope CrotalusRex and Mimichan can make contact with Terri/Bindi while they are visiting USA.

CrotalusRex and Mimichan: Thank you OzGuff and Paradise Found for helping this coin get to Australia Zoo!

The First Noel: Steve Irwin was quite an admirable man! I couldn't resist picking up this coin honoring his memory.

RollsLV: I think that it is nice trip from NATO army base to Soviet army base.

Seekerfamily: Coin is now in alligator area, will download some pics soon. Thanks for sharing this nice coin, hopefully will move again soon. Seekerfamily

Mr. & Mrs. Kensquach: Crikey!! This has got to be one of my all time favorites...I gotta get me one of these. Thanks for the discovery!!

Korat: Heading to the River of No Return.........

Edmil: To travel far and wide across the Australian Continent - and beyond - collecting 'Crikey's' along the way each time the coin is logged ensure the word Crikey appears in a sentence in the Log. In addition to the above add a wildlife picture to log.

keightvee: I battled through dense bush to lay my hands on this beaut little coin. Crikey there were a lot of spiders to dodge on the way in. Its that time of year I suppose. Didn't have my camera on hand to capture any arachnid snaps. So took a photo of one of our resident spiders in her magnificent web under our house.

Deputy D0g CRIKEY what a cool Coin .......will move along.

Bower bird: CRIKEY I hope there aren't any real crocs around here.

Tegator: CRIKEY Shes A Beauty!

Coffee and Cache: Very nice "coin." We are off to Sydney in about a week, so we'll take it and a bunch of other TB's with us.

Edmil: Crikey! There’s water nearby so the Croc has an opportunity to escape. The journey begins.

Iseek & Eyeseek2: Wildlife Images owner Dave Siddon, Jr & his family, here in Grants Pass, Oregon, knew the Irwin's and would be happy to know this coin in Steve's honor was put out. There is also a geocache there and we live a few doors down. Wildlife Images is a rehabilitation center for wild animals and also a great place to take a tour of the animals that are not able to be released back into the wild for a variety of reasons. The owner of this coin thought it might be fun to share Wildlife Images so we are including a picture of one of the residents. Picked up this coin not knowing what it stood for and I think you will love where it is at the moment. We are just a few houses down from a place called Wildlife Images and Steve was a friend of the owner of Wildlife Images which does animal rehab back into the wild whenever possible. Anyhow, thank you for adding this nice reminder to this wonderful game and we will pass the coin along shortly. IN JOY

ORNITH : Australia was his Home but the World his Workplace. What he accomplished in his too short life is amazing. We will all be the better for it. Thanks, guys!

MrWalkie: First of these coins I've seen. Excellent cause and excellent reminder.

Goltzene: Thank you Steve for everything you have done. I hope I get to die doing what I love to do.

m0sf3t: I loved Steve on TV, glad I got to discover a coin in memory of him.

Hans Huckebein + die unfromme Helene : Is travelling and visiting rare or terrific animals. After having seen a real crocodile in Australia, the coin should return to Berlin.

Saubersauger: Dann wollen wir mal seltene und unheimliche Tiere suchen gehen. “Then we want to go looking for times rare and uncanny animals.”

Pipes_down_under : Although this did not trip around the world, it certainly travelled Oz. Will put it someplace where its chances of getting home in October is possible. Vale Steve Irwin

bubble & squeak: As crocks are a really ancient species we thought we'd drop the coin into Mendles' so it could contemplate its long past.

Diadem: Found in amongst sand dunes.

chowder & co: Retrieved this from Tassie's Belly Button and will carry it on to West Australia in the next couple of weeks.

Team Chucao : This GC was founded in Ola del Norte cache (GCQZ0B by Gromek) in Chile, placed by the Geocacher “Butane” (tnx) and place for the first time into "El Torre" (GCNQDN by Equipo Wacosta)

eyespyadventurers : My family has really enjoyed Steve's crazy 'Crikey' ways. What a joy to move this geocoin along its journey.

papabear178 : I had heard about this neat series of coins. Little Bear was a big fan of Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter, and wanted to help this coin on down the road. This coin is a nice tribute to a man of passion for life, and it's good to know that a portion from the sales of these coins is going to further his work. Thanks for sharing.

rtreevers: Found with a great view of Jack. Rescued him from a cold winter on the pass and took him to warmer country. Let see how he likes the Metolius river.

summertime fun: This travel bug is by far the coolest one we found, I have gone on line to see how to order some similar coins for friends in Iraq, thanks for sharing this. My son is having a hard time letting go of this; it's all he can talk about. We know the final destination is down under, so we are taking a considerable amount of thought in where to put this one. Will let you know. Thanks for sharing!!

Reb125: To travel from the initial cache to other Civil War sites. Steve Irwin, Wildlife Warrior, honored all veterans, and as a reenactor I would like to add this tribute to Steve, and to my friend Steve. I am friends with the designer of the Crikey! Coin, who is a huge wildlife enthusiast, reenactor, fan of Steve Irwin and all around creative and life-embracing kind of guy. My first foray into geocaching. Please carry this coin to interesting Civil War sites (any kind, you pick) and tell your story. Check out Steve O'Neil's website and get your own Crikey! coin at http://www.geocities.com/thesolorover/crikeycoin.html

Shaggy, Scooby, and Velma: What a wonderful idea to make a coin in Steve's honor. Thanks for sharing it with others. We would to buy one. Thanks again for starting this amazing coin.

CrotalusRex and Mimichan: I was the only person at the bottom of Bradley today...the thundering of the falls through the notch in the cliffs...the thunder in the distance and smell of rain in the air...suddenly I felt the hairs stand up on the back of my neck...I felt like I was being watched...I had a vision of a T-Rex watching me from the trees...or was it a dragon...or the little people the Cherokee knew...??..whatever or whomever it was I felt very small...like a bug...so primal...what a totally awesome place! Bradley's Bottom is a beautiful, wild, primal and raw place that Steve and Terri would loved to have explored so I think it is very fitting that Crikey #2 begins its travels here. Safe travels Crikey, --CrotalusRex

~Marvalus : We always loved watching Steve Irwin with the crocs, and hearing his beloved "Crikey" exclaimed with such innocence and surprise! We have our own little endangered loves at home that we will post pictures of soon.

Hikers2: How nice to honor Bob Irwin with this coin ! Exchanged it for Soccer Jack tb.

Geo13: Moving it along quickly! We were great admirers of Steve Irwin!

Ecorangers: Nice memorial/dedication/remembrance to Steve and his family. Thanks from earth angel of the ecorangers.

thetrailblazers: Found it around lots of chipmunks running around from the mountains above the lake. It is beautiful here!!! Tried to take it to Belli bear but there were too many mugglers about.

Team Gleekzorp: Found this one in Khyber Pass.

KillerTuna: I'm 11 years old and this is my first GEOCOIN. I would like for it to have a picture taken with or near a real crocodile.

ghost640: Neat coin - no worries mates!

Bandits: What an awesome coin! Glad to be able to see it and boy did we see some water today that a gator would love to crawl in. Yikes! Thanx for sharing!

legoboyjj: Traded with zsteve at an event in Eugene, Or.

siouxpergirl: Found at “Snakes in a Tree”. Believe it or not, snakes and crocodiles coexist wonderfully when they live in a tree.

lakedawgs: Yay!! Another Crikey coin! This is a great way to honor the memory of Steve Irwin and his work in animal preservation. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Ben's Honey: Swimming in the Snake River looking for dinner and caches! No bikinis or swimmers!

Felmaith: This coin would like to visit wild places and areas of natural beauty near coasts all over the world. Eventually, it would love to get to the Pinnacles Desert and Shark Bay, in Western Australia, but is just as happy to watch the wildlife near you in the meantime.

dzenis: Put in beautiful place in Latvia. G'day mate,

BeachBoy38: Retrieved from the Japanese Glass Float Games event at Lincoln City.

Northstar and Gemin: I found this croc wandering around on the river bank near the marina at Shawnee State Park. Will move him to new waters very soon! He's a dandy!

TeamThung: Absolutely love this coin, Steve Irwin was an amazing animal enthusiast and will be missed.

Johnny Cache & the Cache Crusaders: I nearly had my arm ripped off reaching for this one.

3Hawks: “I'll get this salty back in the wild ASAP.”

TripMeister: Crikey! I love this coin!! I think I'll take it to the Poconos for a little adventure. No crocs but the beavers can get pretty feisty.

Just Cache: This is a really nice coin and a great tribute to a guy who is missed much by many. Thanks for all the fun and education about our world's wildlife Mr. Irwin.

Buglady1: To save and preserve wildlife and flora everywhere. I love this coin because of the endangered wildlife it represents. Take time to learn about what is endangered in areas where you live. Learn about their habitats and respect them whenever you are out caching... Happy caching!

kandigal: I would like to say Thank You to Steve's and his family for helping to save our wildlife. Also to help educate us about wildlife.

TeamThung: Absolutely love this coin, Steve Irwin was an amazing animal enthusiast and will be missed.

hatlat: Nice coin. Is it for Steve Irwin. The world needs him.

Dragontree: To travel around with us spreading the word of Steve Irwin. A coin with a valuable mission to help nature; where geocachers are most of the time! Having visited Steve Irwin's zoo just north of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, we could not resist buying this coin. Australia Zoo is the best zoo we have ever visited and it is constantly making people aware of our impact on nature and how to live with respect.

Morn Hyland: A beautiful coin, discovered with friends, that will make us think of what we do and what effect that has on the world around us..........

"I have no fear of losing my life - if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it" STEVE IRWIN 22/02/1962 to 04/09/2006

The world is as delicate and complicated as a spider’s web. If you touch one thread you send shudders running through all the other threads. We are not just touching the web we are tearing great holes in it....... GERALD DURRELL 07/01/1925 to 30/01/1995

htomc42: Found it in the Crocodile Hunter's CRIKEY cache today!

AAAron333: Best coin of all!

jlondon1963: Current GOAL: Travel the world from cache to cache on a mission to save and preserve our wildlife.

Moneydork: This coin commemorates a caching trip to Australia with my son and one of my caching mates, during which we visited the Australia Zoo. Crikey - those Crocodiles are amazing, as were all the other animals.

Royal_Wulff: Crikey!! Look at the little blighter go!!!

Kiwi_Explorer: We took the kids to Australia Zoo a couple of years ago - great spot - especially enjoyed feeding the elephants.

LuckyLoosh: Rescued from the deep woods filled with banana spiders and muddy trails.

the.james.gang: We were and are fans of Steve Irwin aka "The Crocodile Hunter". He was so very entertaining and seemed like a genuinely nice person. It's sad what happened to him, but at least his legacy lives on!

MUTSLEY & CREW: What a beautiful coin....hard to part with it but she is on her way to Nashville...hope she likes country music.

H8Surfing: What a beautiful coin and a great way of recognizing Steve.

theboycharliebrown: I Miss Steve!

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This coin was produced by Coinsandpins.com and was sold through their website exclusively for for $9.49 USD each.

The CRIKEY fundraiser coin began sales on Sunday May, 06 2007 at approximately 8:00PM EST, 5:00PM PST and all coins were sold out by September 04, 2008. THANK YOU to everyone who purchased a Crikey Fundraiser Geocoin!! All money from the sale of the coins outside of production costs has been donated to Wildlife Warriors Worldwide to be used in Wildlife and Habitat Conservation, Wildlife Rescue, Research and Education.

You may email me through the link at the bottom of this page if you have any questions--Thank You.

I would like to say my heartfelt THANK YOU to the GREAT folks at Coinsandpins.com for taking on this wonderful project with me. It is great to see that there are still people out there who really care about what happens to wildlife.

I would also like to say THANK YOU to the folks at Groundspeak who donated the icon used in the coin's tracking process and a custom prefix for the tracking number. It is truly amazing what we can do if we work together for a worthwhile cause.

If you want to donate directly to Steve and Terri Irwin's wildlife charity WILDLIFE WARRIORS Please Do!

Show your support for wildlife conservation to everyone you meet and buy a Wildlife Warriors wristband from Animal Planet. They are only $1.00 each!

From the Discovery Channel Store's website: "Discovery is honored to support the protection and conservation efforts of Steve & Terri Irwin's wildlife conservation fund Wildlife Warriors Worldwide.

All profits from the sale of these wristbands will be donated to Wildlife Warriors to help protect, conserve and enhance the natural environment.

Show your support for the protection of injured, threatened or endangered wildlife with this commemorative wristband. Help in the fight to raise awareness of wildlife issues, educate the public and support biological research. Share and support the dream of our favorite, beloved mate, Steve Irwin." (From Discovery.com)

Get your own Wildlife Warriors wristbands now.

Steve Irwin loved the music of fellow Aussie John Williamson. John has released an album to raise funds for Wildlife Warriors. Follow this link
to check it out and buy yourself a copy...it would also make a great gift for the music and wildlife lover close to you.

If you are ever in Down Under in Oz be sure to visit Australia Zoo

CROCS RULE!

November 15th is Steve Irwin Day. Please show your support for the worlds original wildlife warrior by wearing a Khaki shirt and spreading Steve's message of wildlife conservation and environmental education to everyone you know.

The Crikey Fundraiser Geocoin, the producer of this coinCoinsandpins.com and the designer of this coin Steve O'Neil are not affiliated in any way with Wildlife Warriors WorldwideorAustralia Zoo

Steve's Quotes

I have a message for my fans. Whatever you want to do in this world, it is achievable. The most important thing that I've found, that perhaps you could use, is be passionate and enthusiastic in the direction that you choose in life, and you'll be a winner. --Steve Irwin

Unless we do something quickly about teaching kids about our dying animals, there isn't going to be much left, if anything, for the generations that follow.

This isn't rocket science, mate. We've got to stop being so bloody selfish. We're not the only ones on this planet.

You know, the basic problem is greed and poverty. The poor chop down trees because they need wood for fire, and big companies chop them down for profit, with corrupt officials getting their take while looking the other way, before the wood is exported or sold to local factories. No one thinks about the wildlife that is being left homeless or destroyed due to this desperation and this greed.

It's no good being a conservationist and keeping your lips sealed tight, no matter what you might be doing physically. You've got to tell people what you're doing, so they'll pick it up too, do the same thing. As for me, I'm going to keep on doing this until I can't do it anymore, and that will be the day when I say goodbye to this world.

I have no fear of losing my life. If I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it.

Where I live, if someone gives you a hug, it's from the heart.

If there's one thing that I, Steve Irwin, would wanna be remembered for, it's be remembered for passion and enthusiasm. Conservation is my job, my life, my whole persona.

"Born a wildlife warrior, die a wildlife warrior."

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My story.

Me with a Black racer at Lake Jocassee, SC.

My name is Steve O'Neil (aka "CrotalusRex" within the Geocaching community). I am also passionate about wildlife and nature just as Steve Irwin was. I have followed Steve's career through his shows on animal planet since they began. When Steve Irwin died I simply did not believe it. The full magnitude of what had happened didn't sink in right away. After reading about it online I wandered out in the forest behind my house and felt numb to everything. A while later it all hit me like a charging bull Elephant--I cried, held my wife close and would not let go of her for a long time. I felt as if I had lost a true friend or family member although I had never personally met Steve Irwin. His death was heart wrenching to me and I still have great trouble maintaining my composure as I read the postings on the Animal Planet's Crocodile Hunter memorial website

My nephew Cody helps me with a Timber Rattlesnake.

Steve Irwin was my hero. He was my greatest inspiration to continue to follow my dream of working with wildlife conservation and environmental education. I truly believe that the world lost a mighty voice for wildlife and wild places when he left us. I will never really understand why this has happened but what I do know is that Steve made a great impact on this earth, he helped countless animals survive, he preserved vast tracts of wildlife habitat and land from development, he educated millions of people about the importance of wildlife and wild places and he had a great positive impact on millions of animal and nature loving children and adults everywhere and he will be so greatly missed.

Now more than ever, those of us who are left...those of us who have been gifted with the love, the understanding and the passion to bring Nature knowledge to the masses--we have a challenge, a goal and a true purpose to take action and not let Steve's death be the end of his message.

We must fight tooth and claw, hoof and horn to make people hear and understand how wonderful, beautiful and important Nature, wildlife and wild places are to the healthy functioning of this Earth.

From one wildlife warrior to another--my honest and deepest thoughts and prayers go out to you Terri, Bindi Sue, Bob, Bob Sr, Wes and John and all of the rest of the Australia Zoo family in my sorrow for your incredible loss.

Steve Irwin's wildlife conservation message inspired me greatly to continue to follow my lifelong dream of wildlife conservation and education.

Check out the Ctenosaur I caught on the porch of my bungalo while on a trip to Costa Rica a few years ago.

I have the good fortune to be able to work in a wonderful place where the management supports wildlife conservation--a rare thing in this consumer driven society. I have set up a website that follows my wildlife conservation project with Eastern Box Turtles. Please take a look at it below for more information.

The Earthshine Nature Pages

Me and "Softy" the Spiny softshell turtle that I released back into the wild during the late summer of 2007.

My beautiful wife Marian and I camping in the Shining Rock Wilderness Area near Brevard, NC during the late summer of 2004--we are grinning big because I had just popped the question a few hours earlier while we were picking wild Blueberries on the side of a 6000' mountain!

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Steve Irwin "The Crocodile Hunter" memorial Geocaches and Travel Bugs.

If you are a Geocacher interested in geocaches and TB's related to Steve Irwin "The Crocodile Hunter" you may enjoy checking out the below links:

Check outthe Crikey Fundraiser geocoins that Geocachers all over the world have sent out on missions of conservation! These tiny coins will continue to spread Steve Irwin's message of wildlife conservation and understanding to the world for years to come. Thank you to the hundreds of geocachers that have bought Crikey coins to support wildlife conservation!

My Steve Irwin memorial Geocache

The Crocodile Hunter�s CRIKEY cache

My mate Oz Guff's CRIKEY cache

M7M90 The Crocodile Hunter-Moist cache

Casey's The Steve Irwin Experience cache

Crocodile Hunter

Portkey To Australia- In Memory Of Steve Irwin

Crikey Mate

In Memory of Steve Irwin: Crocs Rule!

Steve Irwin Memorial Tribute bug

FP Series #38 - Steve Irwin

The Steve Irwin Cache

Bindi Bob TB

Worrier Princess Bindi TB

Crocodile Hunter TB

Crikey Revisited

Crikey Steve we will miss you!

Crikey!

Crikey!

Crikey 2!

Crikey Pezhead!

FP Series #38--Steve Irwin!

The Steve Irwin Cache

Crocodile Hunter in Minnisota?

The Crocodile Hunter

The Crocodile Hunter travel bug nursery

Crikey!

Crikey Croc

Crikey the Croc

Crikey the Iguana!

Crikey!

Crikey! Shes a little beauty!

and this one just 'cuz I really like it...oh and be sure to turn up the volume before you click!

Crikeys I'm a Joey

If you know of another Steve Irwin memorial cache that you would like to see listed here, have questions about the CRIKEY! coin or just want to chat about wildlife please contact me.

Just click on the bottle to drop me an e-mail anytime.

If you would like to send cards or contact Steve Irwin's family and friends, please use the official address below:

Steve Irwin's Family and Friends

C/O Australia Zoo

Glasshouse Mountains Tourist Route

Beerwah QLD Australia 4519

Steve Irwin's birthday is February 22. I plan to light a special candle for him on sundown on that day so please join me will you?

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I have released several CRIKEY fundraiser geocoins into geocaches so they may travel the world raising awareness of Steve Irwin's wildlife conservation cause...check them out below:

Crikey #1--in memory of Steve Irwin "The Crocodile Hunter"

Crikey #2--for Terri

Crikey #3--for Bindi Sue

Crikey #4--for Bob

Crikey #5--for Bob Irwin

Crikey #6--for my friend Brenda

Crikey #7

Crikey #8--is always traveling with CrotalusRex and Mimichan to raise wildlife conservation awareness!

I hope these coins travel far and help to continue spreading Steve Irwin's wildlife conservation message to the world. If you purchased a CRIKEY fundraiser geocoin please consider sending it on a similar journey to either help raise money for wildlife warriors worldwide or for your favorite wildlife conservation charity organization.

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Below are some noteworthy links to caches and Travel Bugs as well as other great wildlife conservation causes where you can either learn about wildlife in danger and/or donate money to help with conservation efforts where they are needed the most.

The CrotalusRex and Mimichan Turtle Tracks Fundraiser Goecoin

The Devils in Danger cache is raising awareness of the The Devil Facial Tumor Disease that is reducing the remaining populations of Devil's in Tasmania. Follow the link on the Devils In Danger website to join in the caching game set up by "Forthferalz" to raise awareness of the plight of the Devil's.

TassieBR: Devil in Trouble Travel Bug

As with the Devils In Danger Cache and Caching Game this TB is also out there traveling about raising awareness of the plight the real Devils are facing.

Taz In Trouble Travel Bug

As with the above cache and bugs this cute little Taz TB is also out there traveling about raising awareness of the plight the real Devils are facing.

The Taz Man Travel Bug

Yet another Taz travel bug that's on a mission for the Devil (that sounded a bit strange didn't it?) NOTE: By Devil I mean the Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus Harrisii) only--not the red dude with horns and a pitchfork.

More info on the Plight of the Tasmanian Devil can be found here.

Manny the Manatee Travel Bug

A Manatee TB that is traveling to the Devils in Danger cache.

My newest Travel Bug is the "GeoRover World Traveler Roving Downunder for the Devils"
that will be roving the planet raising awareness of the before mentioned plight that the Tasmanian Devil is facing.

Please sign my petitions to stop the greed driven killing and sale of trutles, Rattlesnakes and their parts.

"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." - Aldo Leopold

Steve O'Neil's Facebook profile

Profile for CrotalusRex and Mimichan

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If you are Geocaching or hiking in the south eastern USA you may enjoy my...

SNAKE GAME Snake Identification website

It is a simple web quiz I designed to help you identify common reptiles and amphibians that you may encounter in your travels--possibly under that ammo box or in that stump!

Irwin family photos from Animal Planet
and Wildlife Warriors Worldwide Ltd.

Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) photo by Clint Calhoun--thanks Clint!

Sign Guestbook

View Guestbook

Please take a look at The Hellbender Homepage

A great website "promoting the conservation of North American giant salamanders" --a must see for the amphibian lover the Hellbender is an amazing amphibian that many people are afraid of because it is so strange and misunderstood. I just don't get it though--I think the Hellbender is a wonderful and beautiful creature that needs conservation and protection-- although speaking from experience Hellbenders have got to be the slimiest creature on earth!!! They seem to be covered in sheets of pure snot;-) Check out the website for more cool information!!


Seashepherd.org

Please take a look at Sea Shepherd's website! Using the ship named "Steve Irwin" they are "Investigating violations - - Enforcing laws - - Protecting marine wildlife worldwide" all over the world!"



Also check outThe NC Zoo School--a high school inside a zoo!!

Also check outEdge Of Existence
a nonprofit organization that is operated by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).

"The EDGE of Existence programme aims to conserve the world's most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species by implementing the research and conservation actions needed to secure their future.

ZSL researchers will work closely with scientists from countries in which EDGE species occur. The programme also aims to train students from developing countries to monitor and protect threatened species."

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