Posted on February 22, 2019
I was actually not a fan of Steve Irwin, the famous Australian "Crocodile Hunter."
I recognize that Irwin was great at communicating his excitement about the natural world and all manner of creatures.
I am so grateful that he made many people care about animals!
That he worked to stop poaching!
That he bought land in order to conserve natural areas!
That he promoted environmental and conservation ideas!
So...why wasn't I a fan?
I didn't like the whole grabbing-crocodiles thing. The whole hands-on approach Irwin had in his wildlife shows seemed like a dangerous thing to promote - dangerous for people and and probably to wildlife, too!
I prefer a more look-but-don't-touch approach, a more hushed-voice approach, to teaching about wildlife. I'm thinking along the lines of Sir David Attenborough and Jacques Cousteau.
Still, I know that Irwin truly cared about the environment and helped launch serious scientific endeavors. His showmanship, flair, flamboyance, boisterousness - all of that was able to reach some people who would flip right on past Attenborough, don't you think?
Steve Irwin was born on this date in 1962 in Australia, and he died in 2004, at the young age of 44, while he was filming an underwater documentary film titled Ocean's Deadliest.
Ironically, he was killed by a stingray's barb piercing his heart!
This death in the field shocked the world and saddened fans. Australian governmental leaders and U.S. television hosts made tributes about Irwin, and thousands paid their respects by bringing flowers, candles, stuffed animals, and notes to Australia Zoo. National Wildlife Day, which had been celebrated once a year on September 4, began to be celebrated twice a year, on September 4 and on February 22, in honor of Irwin.
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