Stingray City--death of Steve Irwin hurting business?

I'm just curious how business is for Stingray activites since the freak accident of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. My kids loved him and some of them are now scared of the thought of being around a stingray.

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 4:22 am Post subject:

Very good question and one I was going to ask...in fact my wife already told me she will not get in the water because of that very fact...looks like it's the Turtle Farm.

sm

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 7:25 am Post subject:

And now the incident in Miami...The stingray acctualy jumps in the boat Confused

And then pierces the 82 yr old mans heart Confused

What a very strange coincidence..Lucky for him he will survive.

My fiance now refuses to go to stingray city..She was reluctant in the beginning but now she is like forget that crying

Maybe I'll sneak off and go on my own ThumbsUp

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 8:39 am Post subject:

I've been to stingray city a couple of times and been in the water. The stingrays don't come near you unless you feed them. You should definitely still go, you don't even have to get off the boat but it is amazing and so worth seeing. I can't stand fish and things touching me but even I have touched a stingray!

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 9:04 am Post subject:

kristieflanagan, spiritman and Bill,

Both were utterly freak accidents and should not dissuade you from enjoying the unique experience of SRC with either Soto's or Oh Boy.

Note that the gentleman's physician, Dr. Eugene Costantini of Broward General Medical Center advised that in 20 years of practice, he has never pulled a ray's barb from a man's heart. Robert Cowen, professor and chairman of marine biology and fisheries at the University of Miami indicated spotted eagle rays are common in in South Florida, but rarely swim near humans.

Although one can never know or predict a particular species' behavior in the wild, to help with your respective family members' concerns, I'd point out that the chances of being involved in a motor vehicle accident or being struck by lightning are higher than being involved in an incident with a stingray that is not provoked or placed in a defensive situation.

Jpep

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:03 am Post subject:

JPEP,

Yes, I think we all can say that it was a freak accident. Children sometimes have a harder time getting past fears(considering they can't quite reason like an adult yet), so it is nice to know that they can see them from a boat and do not need to get in the water.

Thanks ems2006 for your info!

Kristie

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 11:29 am Post subject:

John,

I defiantly agree..Is's just getting the better half to agree...I think we will still do it but i don't think she will be getting in the water.

Bill

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:05 pm Post subject:

If I can anyone can! The water's not deep and I just stand near the ladder of the boat so I can hop back up when any stingrays come near me (much to everyone else's amusement)!

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:38 pm Post subject:

Just make sure your hesitant family members at least agree to go on the trip. My guess is that they will be reassured by the crew members and seeing the others in the water with no problem, and that they will probably end up going in the water anyway.

If not, they'll still really enjoy it from the boat.....plus, then they'll get to go to a different spot anyway, to do some snorkeling away from the rays.

Can't miss Stingray City!

Char

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 3:12 pm Post subject:

Yeah I am with 55 on this. I would and have jumped in the water with almost anything...it is my better half that will not do it. We live in South Florida and now this other man got hit just down the road.

I guess she will enjoy it from the boat!

A couple of years ago I arrived home from work and (my wife was watching me out of our front window) was walking up the driveway when a bolt of lightning came and struck me and threw me across my yard...I am still here....but...the "odds" factor for her does not work...haha.

sm

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 5:09 pm Post subject:

Both incidences, Steve and the 80 something year old man are both related to a threatened species and it's defense mechanism, Steve swam behind and over the Sting Ray, scaring it. What you would do if you felt threatened, suddenly something over you out of nowhere, the 80 year old man well he was in the wrong place, surely unaware of the defense mechanism, He should have cut the line after seeing what it was. I thought he caught it and pulled it into the boat, I've never heard of a stingray getting airborne. Flying fish! yes can fly, and end up on the deck, but a stingray...well I do not think so. Maybe I'm wrong, Has anyone seen a flying Sting Ray?? Confused

Please let me know....

Also the Stingrays at Stingray city are accustomed to people hand feeding them and do not see us as a threat, just a easy way to get a snack! Would they show up time and again if we were bothering them?? When was there a report that someone was hurt by a stingray that did not step on one. Watch where you step, you know like you always do, why would being in the water be any different? Just a thought...

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 5:23 pm Post subject:

Ravenchlyde,

It was merely a question regarding children....they do not reason like some adults (quite often I would say that was a good thing Smile

)

Glad to hear they can still see things if they choose to stay in the boat for that part and snorkeling after!

Kristie

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 5:31 pm Post subject:

kristieflanagan wrote:

Ravenchlyde,

It was merely a question regarding children....they do not reason like some adults (quite often I would say that was a good thing Smile

)

Glad to hear they can still see things if they choose to stay in the boat for that part and snorkeling after!

Kristie

Hi kristieflanagan! wave

Your question is a good one ThumbsUp

....hope people don't stop going because of what has occurred, it would be a shame....I have a niece she is 9 and she surprises the heck out of me with what she says and comes up with, sssshhhhhhhhh....don't tell her but I think she is smarter than me.... Embarassed

LOL...

Ravenchylde

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 5:36 pm Post subject:

Hi kristieflanagan!

I was just admiring your avatar! You are most certainly Blessed, are all those children yours? Very nice, tell them I miss Steve too!

Ravenchylde

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 6:18 pm Post subject:

Ravenchlyde,

Yes we are blessed jump2

and a little busy. The 3 girl blondies are mine and my husband is a widower with 2 girls and 2 boys. They still all know me as Mom! We have 7 soccer games tomorrow! Never a dull moment. They are great kids and we take a trip every year so we can rest, relax and be in the sun as a family. Last year we went South of Cancun to Akumal...Great to swim with dolphins, toured the Mayan Ruins, but the food and snorkeling were not that impressive. We look forward to going to The Caymans for beautiful waters and yummy food dancing

Kristie

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