'Crocodile Hunter' Irwin killed

[directhex]

With ref to my comment.....well, I apologise to anyone who took that badly or was offended. I'm sad that a human being is dead, and I agree some of his natural history work was superb. I just think that David Attenborough, and David Bellamy were vastly more "animal friendly" in their way's of promoting the beauty of nature.

I won't edit it, as people won't be able to see what I said, making them ask after it again.

Once again, sorry if anyone was hurt by what I said. Maybe it was wrong. Obviously, by the pm's and posts, I offended some people with that one. Didn't mean too.

The rare incidence of deaths by the horrible means that he met his maker are actually the thoughts behind my statement though (though clearly I should have been softer spoken and less antagonistic)...it is clearly very hard to be killed by such a creature, and I shudder to think of what antics he was up to to incur such wrath. Having seen him with various other deadly animals, and the frankly outrageous states of excitements he got them into, it really caused me to think badly of him, rather than to pity him, which I should I think.

I stand by the fact that I don't believe that ultra stressed dangerous animals make good TV. In fact, while I openly admot to having watched him, I also point out that he made me shudder, and with such superb telly over the last 30 years of animals and wildlife going before, I wonder why it was felt so good to wind up animals that just needed sedating and moving out of harms way, or filming from afar.

One more time though...sorry to anyone offended by my statements.

irwin's style of show was very in your face, and larger than life - much like irwin himself. it was fairly good at getting kids with zero attention span interested in nature in a way attenborough can't

many reports from people who have met him indicate he didn't act for the cameras - he was excited and larger than life throughout his everyday life, and passionate about his work.

however, one thing that's quite clear is that he would absolutely *not* have liked the "mourning" surrounding his death - hell, given the way he lived, he'd probably be quite offended if people weren't making jokes about it. yes, obviously condolences to the wife & kids, but i think for all the work he did for Australian conservation, he deserves to be mocked the way he'd want to be - and your earlier post was anything but offensive

[steve threlfall]

Such a shame. An absolute legend. A very entertaining and genuine man. RIP

[Million]

Well, I shall be down my local aussie theme pub tonight drinking a XXXX in his honour. I admit his methods were on the edge of reason at times, but he did wonderful things for the wildlife which he was so infectiously enthusiastic about,
Much love and respect

[The_Iceman]

Also saddened by the news here. He was always good fun to watch, and made the wildlife shows more interesting. He seemed like a genuinely good bloke, my thoughts go out to his family and friends. Rest in peace Steve.

[coco]

a sad loss seemed like a real good bloke, ok he was a showman but he did genuinely care about wildlife and his enthusiasm for natural history showed

[harry1]

so very rare for the ray to do that, and such a pity it stabbed his heart, great bloke according to all who have met him, glad to see so many ppl liked him

[Rys]

hopefully a sentiment likely to be expressed a little closer to home soon eh Rys ?

I've said this before in private, and I'm happy to say it out here in public: you simply do not and cannot pay me anywhere near enough to show up on TV in any way, shape or indeed form.

Wishful thinking will only lead to disappointment, unless you've got a couple hundred grand down the back of the sofa!

[Merlin4458]

Jsut an absolute legend, was upset when i found out :'(

[GeorgeTuk]

OK I am going to go the other way to some posters, because he made the animals do things that were interesting it made the program more interesting.

It is rare that a wildlife program catches my interest, especially on a weekend, but the program about his zoo made me watch from beginning to end.

I hate going to zoos because the poor animals look bored out of their minds with little stimulus. Irwin made them 'hunt' for food, run around and do activities. In most zoos even in the conservation ones (though Disney's Animal Kingdom impressed me), lion's food is simply dropped from a truck, tell me where is the fun in that for a hunting animal.

I was impressed by how brave/crazy he was but it was always for the animals to keep them moving and doing stuff, after all they don't know the difference between Steve Irwin and nice tasty piece of food so they chased him around.