Steve Irwin.......was he just a complete idiot?

[worldgonewild]

Mr Irwin was in the news recently because he, well, died. Some say he was an amazing man who did a lot for animal conservation. Others say he was an exhibitionist, an egotist, even dangerous. What do you think? .

I hope the footage is never shown publicly.

You just havent typed "has this thing kicked off yet" for ages, have you sooz?

"MN mind decreases even further..Shock!"

'But..but..not everyone lives like me, or thinks like me..so...he must be an idiot..'

He was no idiot. Just very different to the herd. Admired him hughely.

footage never be shown - decision made by wife and manager.

surprisingly - another fellow not long after steve was also hit by a sting ray barb to the chest and managed to survive.

What do I think - did a lot of good that very few people know about - wonderful ambassador for Aus and our wildlife.

His family - parents etc - did and are still doing amazing things to conserve wildlife - again things that do not make the media - yes he was a showman and yes he was ott BUT what you saw was what you got and he was that full on - on and off the cameras.....

a shame we aren't all passionate about causes and about life....

and at the very least a family lost a son, father and husband too soon - very very sad....

I think he did entertain thousands of people and some of his work was very worthwhile. He had several conservation projects and made children aware of many conservation issues.

I always thought he would get himself hurt, I think it was Chris Packham who said that such a tradegy was inevitable, he overstepped the mark on many many occasions and you can only torment animals so much before it backfires.
I think for me he went one step too far when he took his tiny baby into a crocodile pit. He may of been in control in his own mind but these are unpredictable wild animals!

Having said that though I was very shocked and upset when he died, for his family and his fans.....death is just unthinkable, even for a man who torments the odd crocodile.

So I agree with both views of him in a way....
But he didn't deserve to die.

Ludaloo

I think for me he went one step too far when he took his tiny baby into a crocodile pit.

Yes, exactly. In what way is this supposed to 'educate' young children. If anyone else had done this they would have been thrown in jail.

David Attenborough......'Planet Earth'....my kids love it. Oh, and it's educating, not thrill seeking and respectful of animals.

I'd never really heard of him till he died. But I must say I hate the way his daughter Bindi is being pushed into the limelight. I'm sure she's going to turn out either horrid or screwed up or both.

He was an entertainer, kinda comic aussie and the apparent "danger" made him seem idiotic - worked well for him and brought a new type of pioneer to issues about animals and the environment to our TV screens.

I dont think a few "stunts" to pull the crowds in (for a good cause I might add), should overshadow a lifetime of good that he did.

We all make mistakes or bad decisions, occasionally, dont we?

I disapproved of him because I think he might cause reckless behavior in children. I grew up in Florida where there are a lot of snakes. We constantly had to keep reminding my nephews and neices not to pick them up. But then they see him picking them up. It doesn't help us reinforce how dangerous snakes can be.

omg the snakes in florida are scary - saw a thread here about a Bermese snake that tried to eat a crocodile and exploded!

this

Hope Steve would not have been jumping in the waters with one of those around

Rather he "harass" crocodiles then skin them and eat them like most crocodile "lovers".

Shoes anyone?

rather he didn't harrass, skin or eat them!

Poor fellow. After the baby dangling thing I just knew he'd get hurt - he was reckless. thats what happens when your're reckless - people get hurt.

I feel very sorry for his family. he was a good guy.

His Zoo - Australia Zoo - had a birthday party for little Bob yesterday. without his daddy there.

The incident with the baby put me off the bloke. He was a likeable character most of the time but ummmm........stupid.

He wasn't stupid and he certainly had a great respect for all animals. He spent his whole childhood around crocodiles and the Australian wildlife. What we think is reckless was normal to him and his family. He wasnt just doing it for the camaras.
A freak accident can happen to anyone. If he had been hit anywhere else on his body he would not be dead. It is not 'fate' to die tragically.
I (obviously) thought he was fantastic, and that he did an enormous amount of good. So there

I wonder if the animals on his shows felt respected.

I doubt it. Animals don't generally feel embarrassment, respect etc. These are human emotions.
That aside Steve Irwin treated all the animals he came into contact with, with great respect.

Thats why they all looked like they were dying to get away from him.

Seriously, watch his programmes and you will see how passionate he was about animals. The Crocodile Hunter programmes were about rescuing animals from cruel conditions or relocating them to safer surroundings.