|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 4, 2006 18:28:21 GMT 12
Steve Irwin was killed today by a stingray's barb through the heart.
I never liked the guy much and thought his shows were full of abuse of animals and bad for conservation, but am saddened to hear he has been killed.
RIP Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by corsair67 on Sept 4, 2006 19:00:53 GMT 12
I'm surprised that something like this hasn't happened earlier - the amount of risks he's took was incredible. No sane man shoves their hand under a rock to see if there's a Brown Snake hiding underneath, or holds their baby at arms length over a croc's head!
He was probably trying to kiss the Stingray that stabbed him in the chest!
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 4, 2006 19:21:11 GMT 12
Yes, I always thought he was a walking talking Darwin award candidate.
That's one reason I think he's been very bad for conservation and for TV, showing kids it's ok to taunt snakes or scorpions or sharks, etc
|
|
|
|
Post by amitch on Sept 4, 2006 19:22:43 GMT 12
Well there goes the best line from the Simpsons "Crickey he got me by the Dingle Dial"
|
|
|
|
Post by steve on Sept 5, 2006 1:14:26 GMT 12
Yes RIP Steve...however i have to say...he appeared self obsessed and such risks to oneself should in my humble opinion be taken in defence of your neighbour or country etc...still sad loss
|
|
|
|
Post by yak2 on Sept 5, 2006 13:13:06 GMT 12
Need to correct some misconceptions here. Steve Irwin was a very passionate, practical and high profile conservationist. Almost single handedly he has changed the public's attitude to protecting sharks and snakes. He certainly did not taunt animals. Rather he had an amazing ability to interact with them in a nonthreatening manner, and share that experience. Check out the interview he did with Andrew Denton on ABC TV's 'Enough Rope'. He was one of Australia's favourite sons, and the world could do with more like him. Pity there haven't been a few Steve Irwins in aircraft preservation.
|
|
|
|
Post by phil82 on Sept 5, 2006 14:07:55 GMT 12
Thank you Yak!
I was about to correct our young Dave, but I'lll simply endorse what you've said.
Steve may well have come across as your typical Ozzie larrikin, but underneath all those "Crikey's" was a dedicated conservasionist and recognised as such world-wide. There are millions of vistors to Australia Zoo every year, and he did it virtually alone.
Good on yer mate. A sad loss indeed.
My bet is he'll get a State funereal, because the public will demand it be so; he's that popular.
|
|
|
|
Post by xr6turbo1 on Sept 5, 2006 16:04:21 GMT 12
Yip, I was an Irwin fan as well. He was a bit full on at times but he has helped give people a better understanding of animals and some people learnt a lot from his show.
As far as aviation goes I remember seeing one of his shows when he was in the desert looking for snakes and there happened to be an airforce base nearby so he was off blasting around the sky in an F16. I am sure the pilot had his helmet volume turned down as they flew as he is pretty full on.
He is one of the few people I have seen who have been put through several 9g turns and still have a huge grin on his face.
What people may not know is if you want a job at his park the que is years long and he has his own fire brigade that he sends to Australian wildfires in an attempt to save the amimals from fire.
Some people stuggled to deal with him many liked his enthusiasm. Its a pity he died trying to calm peoples fears about stingrays but he did a lot of good and we are all entitled to our opinions.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kereru on Sept 5, 2006 17:07:43 GMT 12
A sad day indeed for a well known Aussie conservationist. I was not always impressed with some of the things he did like with his baby however as I have learnt more about him and his work my fears have perhaps been misplaced. Reading some of the comments here has helped reinforce his dedication to his work and he will certainly be missed. In some ways he reminds me of Sir Peter Blake and they are both dedicated conservationists with different plans but following a similar aim for the future of our planet.
Just my 0.02c worth.
Cheers,
Colin
|
|
|
|
Post by corsair67 on Sept 5, 2006 17:46:56 GMT 12
Crikey Kereru, I love your avatar of ZK-TAF!  |
|
|
|
Post by Kereru on Sept 5, 2006 18:13:09 GMT 12
Crikey Kereru, I love your avatar of ZK-TAF! Thanks. I had to make a thumbnail, put it in a photobucket and finally I got it to work!  Instructions are okay Dave just me finding my way around. |
|
|
|
Post by corsair67 on Sept 5, 2006 18:20:20 GMT 12
Colin, I found it a big learning curve too, but I'm totally at home with photobucket now.
|
|
