Ditto

Those of you who think making a spectacle of an animal was a bad idea environmentally have missed the mark. So lets say he plays with a snake, and worst case, the snake gets stressed and dies. Is it a loss environmentally? NO!!! The actions of the hundreds of millions of people now aware that that snake exists will so vastly outweigh any detriment to one animal as to make your argument absurd. I can't even imagine the amount of money and man hours devoted to protecting the enviroment due solely to Steve Irwin. Outside of his family, the animals will suffer the greatest loss.

 

Totally sad. RIP

 

I don't believe anyone here is being disrespectful to Mr. Irwin as a person or even has that intent. And it's unfortunate that this tragedy occured. But often times it's tragedys such as this that open the door for useful discussions. Such as Mr. Irwins behaviors with wild animals.

I don't believe that I've "missed the mark". How many animals would it be okay to kill or torment to save the whole? What actions of hundreds of millions of people? And what benefit does mass knowledge of it's existence have for the animal? I would guess that most of the people that watched his behavior on T.V. had no clue what else he did for the environment or animals. They simply watched his show for it's entertainment value. So it can just as easily be reasoned that he also did animals great harm by demonstrating to a young audience it was alright to go out to an animals habitat and treat them in that manner. But it was just one animal, right?!!

 

holy crikeys!!, I'll miss that guy. all my best wishes to his family and friends

 

It was just a matter of time. Lo siento mucho! Too bad.

When you play with fire, you will eventually get burned. Just more dust in the wind!

 

I have been thinking that his last words/thoughts would have been "CRIKEY!!!! He got me mate!!!" He will be missed surely.

 

Well said, Thank you.

Who else to look to and remember when you travel abroad and see some of the creatures you saw on TV? And IF you ever travel outside your town's borders, you might know what you're looking at and how it reacts to you instead of YOU finding out the hard way. What have YOU done to educate millions?

Thanks Steve, you'll always be remembered for the things we would have never seen if it weren't for you.

P.S. I believe there's something written about man and animals in GENESIS, but I can't go there.

 

"If you play with fire you going to get burned. Not a matter of if, but of when and how bad."

ETA

Have to add this: Steve Irwin will be missed. His methods are currently in question in this thread. This will die down in time. It has been said he died doing what he loved. This is true. It also serves to make my point. He took a risk when he did that which he did. He took these risks knowingly. And it cost him his life. Controversy aside. He will be remembered as the icon that he was.

 

I'm still in shock. Irwin was/is a hero to me. He lived his life to the fullest everyday. He had a passion for everything he did and went at everything 100%. How many of us can claim the same. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, and so am I - I don't think he disrespected animals in any way, shape or form. He grew up with most of these animals, he knew how to safely handle them - and when not to handle them - I do not believe for a second that he endangered any of the animals he handled or that he caused stress that would do permanent harm. He educated and exposed millions to parts of the world and the creatures that inhabited them that otherwise may have gone unnoticed. He is a big part of what has inspired me to explore more of this world and my wildlife photography. I never wanted to leave the US, hell, I never wanted to leave Texas, before seeing part of the world through his eyes (and many others). I have traveled all over the US the past 2 years, went to the Canadian Rockies and am planning a photo safari to S. Africa for next year - with trips to Austarlia and Europe to follow. That is no small part to watching this crazy Australian of tv for the last decade. Thank you, Mr. Irwin, for being someone I could admire and my prayers to his family, he will be greatly missed.

 

ditto greystreak92

 

"in northern austrailia, every guy you meet would rather dive with sharks than a croc. one man - a lifelong professional diver - said that a 3ft croc was more than enough to keep him out of the water. they're taken so seriously that rumors of crocs would keep people out of certain bodies of water for years."

"You'll never see them coming, you won't even know they are in the area and when they do attack you will die of suffocation rather than being "damaged beyond repair"

 

Another nature show that I remember from long ago was Marty Stouffer's Wild America. He specialized in slow motion camera work. It was a very good show.

 

That really sucks, my condolences

But, at least he died doing what he loved. We should all be so lucky...

 

Having lived in Northern Australia - I wholeheartedly agree with this...

You couldn't have paid me enough to have done his job.

 

"Crikey!" May Steve rest in peace. No doubt he will since he did go out doing what he loved to do.