Naturalist Steve Irwin dies

[leicamann]

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Just thought I'd post this for those who didn't know, today we lost a great naturalist and wildlife lover. A great , great loss. sadness in our hearts and condolances to the family and loved ones.

 

 

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Australia mourns 'colourful son'

 

 

Regards, Leicamann

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[leicavirgin]

I was saddened to hear of this today, he contributed so much to education and interest in in wildlife and nature, and did it in an entertaining and humorous fashion. I enjoyed his shows. My heart goes out to his wife and young children, and everyone close to him, he will be missed.

[ejcaliguri@comcast.net]

Folks-

 

I feel very much the same; he was a young, vital and great man, with a blessed life and family. He was very, very funny as well. I will miss him.

 

One thing I do not care for these days however is how some TV naturalists seem to 'promote' the 'dangerous side' of wildlife in order to attract young viewers, and sometimes exploit it. I just saw, last night, a documentary on Vampire Bats - where the researcher used HIMSELF as live bait - he was indeed bitten on his finger by a large bat, and the close ups of the streaming blood as the bat licked it from his painful wound seemed 'over the top' to me. Disturbing the natural behavior of wildlife, including using yourself 'in the experiment' portrays naturalists in a strange light.

 

I do not mean to demean, or condone, all Steve has done to breed a new generation of nature lovers -- however I think that his passing was needless in some ways, and that saddens me all the more.

 

Maybe we all can learn from this. Please - I did love the man and enjoy learning from him - but I think there is a better way to show young people the correct way to approach nature and her beauty.

[Guest stnami]

By crickey he will be missed.....

[albertwang]

Cheers to a wonderful man, hope that he can be resurrected soon.

[square_one]

A very unfortunate death, but this man aggravated wild, innocent creatures to make a buck. Doesn't command my respect.

[wbesz]

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Irwin, who with American wife Terri, live and work in Queensland's Sunshine State, in the 251-acre Australia Zoo amidst some 700 wild animals. Irwin never knew that this son of animal naturalists would one day share his passion for conservation with the world, but others did. "First off, mate, bein' a bloke from the bush, I never knew I'd ever get this far, but certainly my mum and dad knew that I was going to go to the top of the heap," Irwin explains in true, laconic style. "To be truthful I'm a little stunned that it's been this fast." This 'bloke from the bush' who was born in Victoria, shared the love for animals all his life, stemming from being raised at the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park where he still lives. There, he partook in daily duties of animal feeding and care. He quickly established himself with the Queenland's government on the process of the country's Crocodile Relocation Program, in which the reptiles could be transferred and relocated to proper localties in the most absolute humane, non-tranquilizing manner.

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Sad way to go as one of the world's best promoters of wildlife conservation.

 

Amazing also that he used most of his own money.

 

Thanks for the thread Leicamann John.

[hamey]

May he rest in Peace.

 

This will be a fine tribute to him.

 

Ken.

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[TimF]

I just saw, last night, a documentary on Vampire Bats - where the researcher used HIMSELF as live bait - he was indeed bitten on his finger by a large bat, and the close ups of the streaming blood as the bat licked it from his painful wound seemed 'over the top' to me.

 

Didn't David Attenborough do that same thing many years ago? The trend in natural history I can't stand is the anthropomorphising of animals.

 

this man aggravated wild, innocent creatures to make a buck.

 

Bruce,

Surely what is important is the way he used that cash? Steve Irwin used much of his to buy up large areas of Tasmanian forest to protect it from loggers and others who would destroy it. He also stopped an Australian government plan to allow so-called "big game hunters" to shoot crocodiles. Whether any one of us liked his style is one thing, but there was no doubting his passion and devotion to wildlife.

[square_one]

Surely what is important is the way he used that cash? Steve Irwin used much of his to buy up large areas of Tasmanian forest to protect it from loggers and others who would destroy it. He also stopped an Australian government plan to allow so-called "big game hunters" to shoot crocodiles. Whether any one of us liked his style is one thing, but there was no doubting his passion and devotion to wildlife.

 

Wonderful stuff, but his "style" - aggravating animals for entertainment, for money - wasn't. Does the End justify the Means? Where have we heard that before?

 

I don't intend a grim comparison, he was a good guy, but his Show-Time disrespect for, and the constant teasing and bullying of natural creatures, was a sad example to set.

[albertwang]

Indeed, he was a colorful persona for sure. But one who took things too far?

[KevinA]

Wonderful stuff, but his "style" - aggravating animals for entertainment, for money - wasn't. Does the End justify the Means? Where have we heard that before?

 

Animals get aggravated everyday in the wild, no harm was ever done to them by Steve, so what's the problem?

What a dull world it would be without the extroverts.

 

Kevin.

[Guest stnami]

Mr Nut, he was no different to that sub-species called the photographer who expects their subject to perform tricks whether it be a human, a landscape, light etc. I am sure that even your family and friends have been subject to unwanted photography by you

[ejcaliguri@comcast.net]

Hi folks;

 

Your comments are all interesting and with merit. Yes, Steve did much good with his wealth (he first inherited the Crocodile Reserve in Queensland from his family) to help save wildlife, and promote, in his own 'charismatic' way, that love.

 

I still must maintain that wildlife should NEVER be intentionally disturbed - even by the most knowledgeable (btw - I love Dr. Attenborough's work!) It is often tempting fate! I know television and photography in general does often include some disturbance of wild creatures and lands - as well as people who inhabit the area. Even Dr, Attenborough would plead guilty I believe, as would others (E.O. Wilson here at Harvard University for example, Jeff Corwin who grew up near me, etc.)

 

Any naturalist or photographer - anyone who interacts with nature in any way, shape or form - changes her behavior by their mere presence. Be aware that YOU may be the cause of the behavior you see! A good naturalist and nature photographer knows this.

 

We do often act like the 'subspecies' we are in the field. I have seen animals baited, aggrivated, stressed and trapped for the sole purpose of (maybe) a photograph.

 

Is it legal? Maybe. Is it moral? Well .... that is up to us.

[erl]

We are ALL guilty in some way of "agravating" someone or something, aspecially as photographers. What do most of us achieve by our actions? Mostly self gratification I suspect.

 

In the case of Steve Irwin, his work and behaviour was driven by a passion to improve and sustain the lives and conditions of wild animals. He poured a tremendous amount of money and effort into doing just that. More than Richard Attenborough ever did as far as I am aware, yet I have never heard him criticized.

 

In the light of the most recent death of Steve I feel it is in extremely poor taste that some nuts see fit only to criticize him before he is even buried.

 

There is a time and place for everything and now is the time for respect.

[square_one]

....some nuts see fit only to criticize him before he is even buried. There is a time and place for everything and now is the time for respect.

 

Cute inference, and a classic fall-back position, but erl, I think Steve Irwin, more than most, would welcome open discussion of his methods at this unfortunate moment, for he, to his everlasting credit, always seized the moment.

 

Mr. Nut,

 

aka, Bruce

[erl]

Bruce,

 

As far as Steve Irwin's attitude is concerned, I am sure you are correct. He would welcome open and instant discussion. I know of impromptu occasions when he did just that.

 

My only real criticism (above) was meant to 'stay the hand' of critics to allow reasonable time for those that grieve to be free to so do without distraction. Beyond that there will always be debate over Steve's style and behaviour, which, it could be said, is typically Australian and therefore unapologetic. I speak as 'an Oz' myself.

 

Cheers,

Erl

[square_one]

Erl - Yes, this man is (and will always be) the quintessential Aussie. His out-there exuberance is precisely what got me to skip Compassionately-Correct and, unapologetically, go straight for the tail of the Croc.

 

Bruce

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[Guest stnami]

Hey Nut you know jack**** and sit and direct as a coach potato thus your comments are easily dismissed unlike Steve Irwin who had a go and lived without flapping off like a squirrel sitting on a spiny anteater waiting for a boomarang that will not come back. Either eat more carrots or get a life Bruce and stop being a goose

[square_one]

Hey Nut you know jack**** and sit and direct as a coach potato thus your comments are easily dismissed unlike Steve Irwin who had a go and lived without flapping off like a squirrel sitting on a spiny anteater waiting for a boomarang that will not come back. Either eat more carrots or get a life Bruce and stop being a goose

 

Wow! Good for you stnami. Let it out.

 

Bruce