Crocodile Hunter killed

[Soul Stream]

Footage of the attack and the aftermath was captured and is supposedly going to be aired at the request of the family.

Wow. Saw Larry King last night and the doc. producer who had seen the footage urged that it be destroyed since it was so horrific. Although I'm not surprised his wife Terry would want it shown in this sense. Steve would not Stingrays demonized, if the footage demystifies the event...then perhaps it's what he would want and she would know best. A pretty amazing family in my book.

[Christiern]

While his family certainly has my sympathy, I cannot muster up same for Irwin, he always struck me as a sensation-seeking boor. And he is being given far too much attention by a sensation-seeking media.

[BruceH]

While his family certainly has my sympathy, I cannot muster up same for Irwin, he always struck me as a sensation-seeking boor. And he is being given far too much attention by a sensation-seeking media.

Yes, yes, and yes.

[Noj]

I'm surprised to read there were so many adverse reactions to Steve. His job was to work with these dangerous animals, and he was very respectful of them. Often when he was working with crocodiles, he was being called on by the public to help deal with rogue animals who were encroaching on human-inhabited areas. Steve took every precaution to be sure animals were not harmed when he dealt with them and he very much cared about their welfare. His enthusiasm for nature and conservation were genuine.

Edited September 6, 2006 by Noj

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I'm surprised to read there were so many adverse reactions to Steve. His job was to work with these dangerous animals, and he was very respectful of them. Often when he was working with crocodiles, he was being called on by the public to help deal with rogue animals who were encroaching on human-inhabited areas. Steve took every precaution to be sure animals were not harmed when he dealt with them and he very much cared about their welfare. His enthusiasm for nature and conservation were genuine.

I've seen quite a few of the series in which he was mainly doing that and I agree entirely. He was a character and very able to be a great populariser of the important work he was doing with wildlife. Sorry, but it's a bit like Michael Cuscuna describing Grant Green as a great populariser and then complaining about his "commercial" recordings.

MG

[connoisseur series500]

Isn't that often how it happens, though? You dodge the big bullets only to get hit by a freak one?

This describes the situation best, I think.

[clifford_thornton]

While in Aus, I once came face to face with a hairy spider the size of my face, in a dorm toilet. From that time onward, I never used that toilet again even in an emergency.

Jesus. How does such a thing even happen? I've never even heard of people getting stung by stingrays except by stepping on them.

edit: I guess I'm used to only the garden variety stingray. "The giant Australian stingray can reach 6 to 7 feet across the wings and weigh 750 pounds."

Why are all the animals in Australia 10 times scarier than any animal anywhere else?

Spiders as well! http://www.usyd.edu.au/anaes/venom/spiders.html#FUNNELWEB

Oh, I don't know, I think Africa has some pretty frightening animals, as well. And by the way, why was your face in the dorm toilet?

So does Venezuela. Case in point:

That's a dinner plate, btw. I think even Irwin may have hesitated before picking that up.

Jesus Fucking Christ... The description of that Sydney fucker really creeps me out. Gaah!

"During a bite the spider firmly grips its victim and bites repeatedly; in most cases the experience is horrific. The venom is highly toxic. Before an effective antivenom was developed, significant bites usually resulted in severe symptoms and death was not uncommon."

Edited September 6, 2006 by clifford_thornton

[connoisseur series500]

Jesus Fucking Christ... The description of that Sydney fucker really creeps me out. Gaah!

"During a bite the spider firmly grips its victim and bites repeatedly; in most cases the experience is horrific. The venom is highly toxic. Before an effective antivenom was developed, significant bites usually resulted in severe symptoms and death was not uncommon."

Is it the Funnel-web?

Interesting survival technique, because if you bite a large animal (such as a human being), that sucker is likely to get smashed to death while chewing away. It's suicidal.

I'd be interested in hearing people's thoughts on that.

[Chuck Nessa]

Interesting survival technique, because if you bite a large animal (such as a human being), that sucker is likely to get smashed to death while chewing away. It's suicidal.

I'd be interested in hearing people's thoughts on that.

You are one sick puppy.

[Chuck Nessa]

On the other hand, I've bitten a few humans and even if I was smashed it was not my death.

[connoisseur series500]

Interesting survival technique, because if you bite a large animal (such as a human being), that sucker is likely to get smashed to death while chewing away. It's suicidal.

I'd be interested in hearing people's thoughts on that.

You are one sick puppy.

That's for sure!

[Chuck Nessa]

Thought you were going to bed.

[connoisseur series500]

Thought you were going to bed.

OK, OK

[kenny weir]

His job was to work with these dangerous animals, and he was very respectful of them.

No he wasn't. He invaded their space repeatedly and aggressively in the pursuit of good TV.

Edited September 7, 2006 by kenny weir

[Noj]

His job was to work with these dangerous animals, and he was very respectful of them.

No he wasn't. He invaded their space repeatedly and aggressively in the pursuit of good TV.

Even in the episode where Steve handled the 10 deadliest snakes in the world, while it's true he "repeatedly and aggressively invaded their space," he was noticeably weary of their strikes and rarely came close to getting bit. When Steve did handle the snakes, he had a unique ability to calm the creature and not hold them in a crushing manner. I've seen the other guys--Austin Stevens, Jeff Corwin, etc--all handle deadly snakes and none of them have the touch on the creatures and handling techniques Steve did.

I remember one episode Steve and Terry repelled into a ravine to look for a snake. At one point during the climb out of the ravine they had to free-climb without the aid of ropes. Terry panicked and lost her footing and would have fallen to her death, but Steve grabbed her with one arm and, while still maintaining his own precarious grip, hoisted her back to safe footing. He was that kind of guy, ready for tough situations.

[kenny weir]

while it's true he "repeatedly and aggressively invaded their space,"

I'm happy to have different views on this subject, but I'm bemused by his supporters accepting the BS for what they perceive as some sort of greater good. It doesn't wash with me. Wrong is wrong. He was no sort of role model.

[Noj]

I wouldn't call him a role model, and I must admit I would often laugh with my family at what Steve was doing and say, "what an idiot!" Still, I think the man showed a lot of skill in the way he approached handling dangerous wildlife.

Deadly snakes do need to be captured and milked to create anti-venom. Crocodiles that enter areas inhabited by humans should be re-located and not simply slaughtered. Surely Steve contributed something to the greater good and wasn't merely a media circus clown. The message he attempted to deliver all the time was that the deadly creatures he encountered on his show all had a role in nature which needed to be preserved for the future. So, though not a role model, at least the spectacle he created came with a concern for preserving wildlife.

Plus, Steve could surf! That's gotta be worth something.

[kenny weir]

Plus, Steve could surf! That's gotta be worth something.

IMNSHO: More than all the rest of it times 10!

wasn't merely a media circus clown.

Effectively, I think he was just that. Regardless of what was going on behind the scenes.

[Chuck Nessa]

Let the guy go.

[Dan Gould]

What Chuck said.

[Peter Johnson]

It's the Oxycontin talking.

Interesting survival technique, because if you bite a large animal (such as a human being), that sucker is likely to get smashed to death while chewing away. It's suicidal.

I'd be interested in hearing people's thoughts on that.

You are one sick puppy.

[robviti]

i was openly critical of irwin during his lifetime. i considered his style of interacting with some animals on some occcasions to be disrespectful. but after taking time to examine his career as a whole, i have come to the conclusion that his interest in animal welfare was genuine and his intentions honorable. while i didn't always agree with his methods, i share other people's sadness over his passing.

[RDK]

I'm heading to Hawaii in a few weeks. Is there anything I need to worry about if i encounter a nene?

[connoisseur series500]

I'm heading to Hawaii in a few weeks. Is there anything I need to worry about if i encounter a nene?

What's a nene?

If you mean stingray, I'd just surrender all the crustaceans and shellfish you may be carrying and let him have them.

[connoisseur series500]

I'm heading to Hawaii in a few weeks. Is there anything I need to worry about if i encounter a nene?

Nene?

You mean ninny? That would be Catesta.

Edited September 7, 2006 by connoisseur series500