I was truly shocked and sorry when I read this. I always enjoyed his shows and he seemed like a truly likeable person.   I do believe he was deeply committed to the animals he worked with and handled. However, I have often watched his shows (and the imitation shows that sprang up) and thought that he and others were just taking too many chances - getting too close and that something was bound to happen eventually. Maybe they'll excercise more caution from now on. But, back to Steve Irwin (they're showing clips of him now on the news)- he had a sparkly, friendly personality that just seemed to shine through. I will miss him!