The late Steve Irwin!

[Jonny]

I couldn't stand the bloke on telly, but he did a great job of highlighting the wildlife of Australia and was a big supporter of it..........

[gez]

i loved the guy, ive never seen such total passion in any other tv presenter. if i could live my life doing what i loved more than anything else i too would be a very happy man. every one ive talked to has felt this loss. & my heart goes out to his family & friends. i for one no he has not died in vain his great work will go on. RIP steve.

[rlchew]

I never really took to Steve Irwin's style on TV either but his interest, passion and commitment to wildlife was unquestioned. That should be remembered.

Few of us will end our days doing something we really enjoy. It was shocking and sad to hear the news this morning but I guess Steve went out doing what he wanted to do.

RIP Steve Irwin.

Richard

[PMG]

His style and approach didn't appeal to me personally but it wasn't aggravating enough to stop me from watching and I don't think I watched to see if he got bitten either! I particularly liked his programme on snakes. Like everyone says you have to admire the man for the work he did and he put more into just over 40 years than a lot of folk get out of 80+. . . I hope I die doing something I enjoy - rather than in bed poorly in hospital for months. . .

[Airehead]

I hope the TV producers will now cease to encourage the ridiculous excesses that have become popular - like the the bloke whose name I can't remember, who continually messes about with a snake while telling us how careful he has to be.

[Beryl]

This is sad.
I think his shows were very good and one could learn from them.
He was a very bubbley chap and loved his family as they did him.
Very, very sad

[Parus Ater]

He was a complete individual. There will never be another presenter like him but there will be plenty more presenters.

He appealed to youngsters and individuals alike, I disagree with many things that I have read today (not on this forum) that his presenting would encourage in youngsters the abuse of wildlife. How absolutely wrong. Surely that is down to guidance by their parents. To blame the encouragement of poking, prodding and interfering of wildlife on one man is wrong.

Isn't it so absolutely typical human behaviour to bring the critics out of the woodwork when someone meets their downfall. "But he/she did this wrong or I didn't agree with that"

The man worked for what he believed in and did a huge amount beyond the tv persona that most see for conservation.

RIP Steve.

[Adam]

Although I think he had an odd way of loving and showing his respect for animals, there is no doubt that he did love them, and I am saddened by this news.

[eeyore]

i never really liked his style myself but you have to respect his dedication and the ammount he did to enthuse children about wildlife. He was also a fine ambassador for the land down under - testimony to which was the australian pm taking the time to comment on the news , not something that the average celebrity rates. RIP Steve

[rlchew]

Heads up .... tribute programme on ITV tomorrow (Sunday) at 6 p.m..

Richard

[Chalk Downlanders]

Originally Posted by rlchew

Heads up .... tribute programme on ITV tomorrow (Sunday) at 6 p.m..

Richard

Not even a full half hour. That's pathetic.

I'm lost for words...

[chunkychambers]

I'm not intending to stir things up but I was always a little suspicious of the way he seemed to annoy and aggitate the animals. IMO they were a sideshow to the self promotion of Steve Irwin.
Also the Australians certainly placed him above the animals in thier psychi because they are cutting the tails off stingrays and leaving them to die on the beach in some sort of retribution.
This is happening all over Australia, what kind of twisted logic is that!!?

I know Steve Irwin would not approve of these actions but is it a consequence of a larger than life figure using animals to promote himself?

Just my opinion, nothing disrespectful intended

[flying red fox]

I know thats a shame, some humans always like to take their anger on the animal that kills a popular person, it shouldnt be like the.

Steve knew the risks and he died what he loved doing most, people should just accept that, not going about taking revenge on the poor animal that killed him.

The stingray only struck out of fright, its only natural defence, what would you do? attack or say "oh its just a human close over me i will just ignore it|" Naturally, attack in self defence is what the stingray would choose.

[Imaginos]

Originally Posted by chunkychambers

I'm not intending to stir things up but I was always a little suspicious of the way he seemed to annoy and aggitate the animals. IMO they were a sideshow to the self promotion of Steve Irwin.
I know Steve Irwin would not approve of these actions but is it a consequence of a larger than life figure using animals to promote himself?

Just my opinion, nothing disrespectful intended

Originally Posted by Imaginos

Those who felt his hands-on approach was over the top would do well to remember he was a trained animal handler...and also David Attenborough started off wrestling Giant Anteaters on Zooquest.

There's not a lot more to add to what I've already said. But I must say that anyone who had spent all the money thay had gained from 'self promotion' (and who isn't on television to promote themselves?) on creating a wonderful education tool like Australia Zoo, and buying up massive areas of rainforest to protect it from loggers, must have had some love for his subject surely?

[chunkychambers]

I accept your point Imaginos

Chunky