Steve Irwin

Alright, so another topic began train of thought regarding Steve Irwin, and rather than hijack that thread, I figured I'd start another.

Some people saw the Crocodile Hunter as someone who just bothered animals. I don't see it that way at all. Actually, many of the animals he dealt with loved him. If you've ever seen the episode of him interacting with the orangutans, you know exactly what I mean.
Most of the time that the animals didn't want him messing with them, it was either part of his job at the zoo, or he was saving an animal that was in danger of being shot. I think it was Acco that was living in a 10+' deep enclosure from which there was no way out other than dismemberment. That is, until Steve and crew came along. Acco is now living in a large pond at the Australia zoo. The same can be said for a bunch of other "nuisance" crocs, and even more have been relocated to safe places. There was also a kangaroo that was saved from a drainage pit.
And yes, Steve did pick snakes and the like up to show the camera, and many of those critters didn't much like him, but I also think that the alternative is worse. He was sharing his passion for animals. He caused people to care about animals that they might have otherwise found creepy, gross, or problematic. He was teaching us, and it's harder to hate something when you know so much about it.
Honestly, in the end, I can't think of too many cases, other than snakes, where he "pestered" an animal with no purpose other than to show the camera.
When he wasn't on the show, he championed animal causes. He fought against snake charmers de-fanging snakes in order to make them safe to handle. He educates people everywhere he goes about how to live with the animals in the area, rather than fight against them. He has lectured Rangers in the south on how to deal with the alligators/crocs that live in the area, should the need arise. He pushed for protections for myriad endangered and threatened species. Not just the cute ones, but all of them.

Further, his success has allowed Terry Irwin to continue her own work helping wildlife. She had originally met Steve while looking for help with a cougar rescue mission she had. Now, their children, (or at least little BindI Sue) are continuing the fight. That little girl, while perhaps a bit too energetic at times, is so passionate about wildlife that there is no way to ignore her enthusiasm.

 

I miss the croc hunter.. yea, he was a wild guy, but he loved what he did, he loved wildlife and was passionate about it.. and let's face it - he made it entertaining instead of the usual vanilla show. he knew what he was doing and it's a tragic shame that a freak accident took his life, but he really had respect and concern for wildlife of all kinds and was a blast to watch.

 

I miss him!! I cried so hard when he died!! I grew up with him as part of my life(in a way...) I would always watch his shows and he taught me to love all animals big and small!! he taughtme to love all animals and that every animal is special and unique!!! I always wanted to go to the australia zoo and meet him!! and I was devistated when he died.... I am so glad BindI is just like him though!!! BindI is great!!! Miley :'(

 

I miss him!! I cried so hard when he died!! I grew up with him as part of my life(in a way...) I would always watch his shows and he taught me to love all animals big and small!! he taughtme to love all animals and that every animal is special and unique!!! I always wanted to go to the australia zoo and meet him!! and I was devistated when he died.... I am so glad BindI is just like him though!!! BindI is great!!! Miley :'(

yea, I couldn't believe it when I heard the news. BindI is so much like her dad in her character and how she is with being on camera and all.

 

ya couldnt say anything when my dad told me. I just started crying. :'( Miley

 

Most of us downunder respected him more for the fact that he was just like us common folk. He didn't feel the need to put on airs and graces, he was "True Blue, fair dinkum, dinky die, orstrayan mate" and he stopped us feeling ashamed to be the way we are in front of the rest of the world.

We have a beer in his memory every now and again and remember him as a good mate, even if we'd never met him. If you want to honour him I'd recommend you do too.

 

ya couldnt say anything when my dad told me. I just started crying. :'( Miley

you've really got a sweet heart in you Smiley Miley. Always stay so sweet.

 

Most of us downunder respected him more for the fact that he was just like us common folk. He didn't feel the need to put on airs and graces, he was "True Blue, fair dinkum, dinky die, orstrayan mate" and he stopped us feeling ashamed to be the way we are in front of the rest of the world.

We have a beer in his memory every now and again and remember him as a good mate, even if we'd never met him. If you want to honour him I'd recommend you do too.

yea, he was an everyday kind of guy and I like that he was remembered that way. you watched him and felt like he could be your neighbor - if your neighbor would jump on a croc! but you're right, he never let his celebrity or fame go to his head, like so many people do. the world could use more people like him - honest & real.

 

well and the thing with his death is that it was accidental, but if his crew would've listened to him in the first place when he told them not to pull the tail out he would still be alive today. And because he went uncontious after he said something to them they got all nervous and pulled it out not thinking that once that happens the poison kills you. I really liked him too. He was so great with all the animals. There were times of course I would have to cover my eyes though because I was so afraid that something was going to attack him.A salute to you Steve Erwin in your memory.
Natalie

 

yea, it still makes me sad and I didn't know him personally.. such a great guy and lover of animals.

 

well and the thing with his death is that it was accidental, but if his crew would've listened to him in the first place when he told them not to pull the tail out he would still be alive today. And because he went uncontious after he said something to them they got all nervous and pulled it out not thinking that once that happens the poison kills you. I really liked him too. He was so great with all the animals. There were times of course I would have to cover my eyes though because I was so afraid that something was going to attack him.A salute to you Steve Erwin in your memory.
Natalie

I think the fact that it punctured his heart had something to do with his death moreso than the tail...But I too miss him as does my son who litterally grew up watching him. IMO only those who are completely ignorant found him to be an animal pest and sensationalist.

 

I think the fact that it punctured his heart had something to do with his death moreso than the tail...But I too miss him as does my son who litterally grew up watching him. IMO only those who are completely ignorant found him to be an animal pest and sensationalist.

yea, his personality, his culture and upbringing all had a part in him being "The Croc Hunter" and I think the people so quick to critize him for not treating animals right simply were being ignorant to that. Part of what made him so cool was that he didn't hide who he was just to make people happy. he was himself and loved wildlife and conservation.

 

well and the thing with his death is that it was accidental, but if his crew would've listened to him in the first place when he told them not to pull the tail out he would still be alive today. And because he went uncontious after he said something to them they got all nervous and pulled it out not thinking that once that happens the poison kills you. I really liked him too. He was so great with all the animals. There were times of course I would have to cover my eyes though because I was so afraid that something was going to attack him.A salute to you Steve Erwin in your memory.
Natalie

I think the fact that it punctured his heart had something to do with his death moreso than the tail...But I too miss him as does my son who litterally grew up watching him. IMO only those who are completely ignorant found him to be an animal pest and sensationalist.

But that was the point. If they hadn't pulled the barb (which most people think is the tail) out, he might have made it to a hospital, where they could have sealed the hole as they pulled the barb out. A long shot, but he initially survived the heart being punctured, so the barb apparently didn't sever any major nerves.
I always knew it was going to be something generally considered to be non-lethal that would kill him. He was too good at what he did, too careful around the obviously deadly animals.

 

There doesn't need to be nerve damage for the heart to bleed out if punctured...You're basically bleeding internally. Barb or no, his chances of surviving were slI'm based on the fact that they were miles from any hospital.

 

I understand this. But it's like if you've got a big nail in the tire of your car. Chances are, your tire is going to give out before you get to a gas station. But if you stop and pull the nail out, it's a guarantee.
What I was saying is that the fact that, after the thing punctured his heart, he was still talking to them says that he had a chance. Not much of one, but a chance. However, if you pull the only thing that's stopping up the hole in his heard, he's got zero chance. I'll take .01% over zero any day.

 

If I were his wife imo I would've fired every single one of those baffoons and then sued them for killing him. IMO it was his associates fault for not listening to him in the first place.I really think he may have survived it. There have been a lot of people who have been stung threw the heart and have survived because they didn't pull the barb out and were rushed to the hospital and the drs. saved them. Anything is possible as long as you follow orders in that situation. Natalie

 

so you'd send his associates this: ?

 

I liked the guy and all and I love animals but I was not supprised to hear something happened to him, I view it like this and I am quite sure you all understamd that dealing with animals there is a danger and you take a chance when dealing with dangerous animals but I must admit I did not expect for him to die by a sting ray maybe a shark or a crocadile but a sting ray supprised me , I did get alittle uopset when I heard people going out and killing them.

 

A little upset does not begin to describe my reaction to that. I was screaming and swearing when I read that people were catching them, chopping their tails off, and tossing them on the beach to suffocate/dehydrate. What part of Steve Irwin's legacy suggests that he would want people to avenge him by brutally slaughtering the animals he was filming with when he died?

 

people did that?! ??? that really makes no sense! it was a sad tragedy, but it's not like the stingray was thinking "I hate this guy, i'm going to kill him" and Steve would have been the first to oppose that kind of cruelty. it's not vengeance, it's just animal cruelty. that's really pathetic! >

 

People do stupid things when they're grieving I guess...

 

People do stupid things when they're grieving I guess...

yea, really stupid.. doing something a person would hate in tribute to them.. ! if he was around, he'd be out there wanting to round them up and "teach them a Steve-O lesson" as he would say.

 

Understand my reaction?
I just really did not understand it. It's like when someone gets attacked by a shark, and suddenly every coastal town within at least twenty miles of the attack is having huge shark hunts. I wonder if people could bring themselves to do this if something cute, like a river otter (which is, by the way, far more dangerous than a stingray. It's the only critter at the Irwins' zoo that is tranquilized for a basic checkup. Even the tigers can deal with blood draws and temperature checks) killed someone.

 

Understand my reaction?
I just really did not understand it. It's like when someone gets attacked by a shark, and suddenly every coastal town within at least twenty miles of the attack is having huge shark hunts. I wonder if people could bring themselves to do this if something cute, like a river otter (which is, by the way, far more dangerous than a stingray. It's the only critter at the Irwins' zoo that is tranquilized for a basic checkup. Even the tigers can deal with blood draws and temperature checks) killed someone.

If you want to get technical with it people have the most dangerous animals in their own homes right now dogs and I believe people that venture into wild habitat like the ocean,swamps,jungle,and forest they put themselves at risk of being attack I don't want to sound harsh but pretty much deserve it. I really hate to hear about bears,cougars,wolves,gators and sharks getting killed cause someone ventured into their home and disturbed them

 

Understand my reaction?
I just really did not understand it. It's like when someone gets attacked by a shark, and suddenly every coastal town within at least twenty miles of the attack is having huge shark hunts. I wonder if people could bring themselves to do this if something cute, like a river otter (which is, by the way, far more dangerous than a stingray. It's the only critter at the Irwins' zoo that is tranquilized for a basic checkup. Even the tigers can deal with blood draws and temperature checks) killed someone.

yea.. it's irrational anger let loose on animals having nothing to do with anything remotely related to whatever event triggered it.. sadly it's yet more proof that the human race seems to get dumber every time we go around the sun.