The late breaking news

[gemfyre]

So Steve is dead. And just last week I was considering getting in contact with Rhyllis about getting in contact with him about possibly working at Australia Zoo.

When you work in close proximity with wild animals - especially dangerous ones, generally you're someone who is well aware of the risks - which I have no doubt Steve was. You're also aware that they are still wild animals and completely unpredictable. I bet he knew that too. He was doing what he was passionate about and a freak accident happened. I hear he copped the stingray barb to the heart, and that explains why he is dead and not just in hospital. I believe he has been bitten by venemous snakes previously and survived.

So, the man was a bit of an idiot but I think that was mostly show to get Americans interested. In Australia we've had the more subdued Malcom Douglas for almost half a century sending similar messages about the outback, wild animals, and especially crocodiles. Malcom is now in his 70s and still going strong.

I tell you what, I would much rather die from a stingray barb to the heart (or in my preference, being mauled by a wild tiger) than die in a car accident or in an old people's home.

Hopefully his wife and kids continue spreading his message - but maybe not so idiotically.

EDIT : I also hope his estate will continue buying chunks of bushland to preserve as wilderness. I think that was my favourite of Steve Irwin's habits.

Comments

[lilblueunicorn.livejournal.com]

Whoa, wait a minute...

CROC HUNTER DIED?!

Are you sure it's not just a hoax?

Oh God...

-§parky

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

It's been on various reputable new sites in Australia.

[lilblueunicorn.livejournal.com]

Yeah... I just saw it online... sorry. I wasn't doubting you, I was just wondering.

Man... that's so bad. :( His poor family.

-§parky

[firvulag.livejournal.com]

well, at least actual news sites and fairly simultaneously.

[stawberi.livejournal.com]

I had that reaction too... not wanting to believe.

[summerglow.livejournal.com]

My brother is going to be devastated. What a sad loss.

[sammmmmmmmm.livejournal.com]

I feel so bad for his wife and children and his parents, being that infectious was lovely no matter how much everyone thought he was an idiot.

[stawberi.livejournal.com]

He died doing what he loved, and you certainly can't fault that. Here for a good time, not for a long time. He'll definitely be missed though.

[catpaws86.livejournal.com]

"he died doing what he love"
that was the same thing his dad said, but I feel really bad for him...that's gotta be a really horrible feeling knowing you outlived your 44 year old son.

[stawberi.livejournal.com]

Oh it definitely is. No parent should ever have to bury their children.

[ms-abigail.livejournal.com]

i'll get abused for this but I dont care.
firstly I do feel sorry for his family, kids not knowing there dad and such
but personally I found him to be a total fucking moron and I dont give a shit who defends him, dangling his infant child infront of a known killer is disgusting and irresponsible, whether he said it wouldnt attack or not (even tho he doesnt NOT control a crocs mind and I cant see a croc promising not to attack an infant) and i dont give a shit he wants his kids to udnerstand killers young or not, you can bring kids up understanding the dangers FROM BEHIND THE SAFETY OF A FENCE!, Fact is hes proven in his death even animals who rarely kill STILL CAN kill and with that he just angers me more from that one stupid action with his child.
He was an annoying moron promoting us to be stereotypes because now the yanks think we all run around wrestling crocodiles and such!
No real loss and im sick of the media calling him a legend and even more disgusting when news.com.au said it was just tragic as when Princess Diana died.. There is no way in hell that they could ever be compared to each other Steve was a fucking moron, Diana was a goddess who did for the country, not wrestle it and trying to fuck it up the ass!

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

Diana was an ambassador for many human causes.

Steve was one for wildlife and wilderness. He was a very smart man who made a lot of money and put it to good use, running the zoo, starting conservation programs and buying land to keep it away from developers.

His style was a little questionable, but his main work overshadows that.

[lush-1984.livejournal.com]

I totally agree. he was full on and he did do some silly things but I do think there was method to the madness.

Fact is, if you saw Crocodile Hunter or Australia Zoo, you would see that he gives animals a sanctuary to breed and recover from injuries. He captured crocs and released them in sustainable ecosystems so that they would not be a threat to humans, so that they and the humans would not be killed.
He loved his children dearly, you could see that in the way he spoke about bindi last night in the interviews and he helped her get her own program to educate kids on national wildlife.

Animals do kill and he has been risking his life for a long time. I do however believe that everything he did was not just for a thrill, but for educating us about the wildlife in Australia. He knew that swimming in the shallows over a giant stingray is just as dangerous as swimming over a pod of them, I just hope that Terri and Bindi will keep up the preservation and conservation work up with Australia Zoo in Steves memory.

Do I think he is a legend? friggin yeah! he's done more for this country than Don Bradman, and I do put it up there with Diana because he not only put us on the map and gave everyone the stereotype for Australia, but he lived to save our wildife and on top of that, gave us a larrikin that didn't beat around the bush.