there is a real sadness here today in Aus but especially Queensland. Dh and I have been to Aussie zoo a number of times and were fortunate to see Steve adn his two kids on our last visit last year.
I lie about 1 hours drive from where Steve grew up and lived. He had a real passion for animals, wildlife and that is something to be admired in today's society where most of us have very little passion about anything.
He gave so much more to the community he lived in and to the animal world - so much more than we will ever know and will ever be revealed.
For me what is so telling - he grewu p with his parents being the original founders of what was then the Beerwah reptile park and took it on to bigger and better things. He was such a success in the US before he ever became the successhe is now in Aus. He could have walked away set up in the US and made a pile BUT he chose to stay in the community that had in essence helped raise him and shaped him.
He was lucky enough to meet an amazing woman who shared his vision and passion for animals and create a larger family that was the Zoo family and production company.
He gave back so much more than he ever took.
He was the genuine article. He left no music in his heart when he went - we were lucky enough to share that with him whilst he lived.
I just feel the world is a little sadder, a little emptier today for having lost such a genuine character in a time full of such falsity and superficiality.