OMG WTF?

[serai]

.

The Crocodile Guy is dead!


Whoa, bummer! Seems he bought it while on one of his wildlife documentary expeditions. Stingray barb to the heart.

Man, I really liked him. He was a bit doofy, but his enthusiasm for animals was great.

Comments

[blackbird-song.livejournal.com]

Hear, hear! I think that he did much more good than harm. And what a spectacular way to die for such an avid wildlife advocate and adventurer. I never thought a stingray would get him. What a horrible blow to his family. He'll be sorely missed by everyone, I think.

Catherine

[serai1.livejournal.com]

As far as I know, he never did any harm. And that show of his was wonderful. It was great having someone show such delight in animals that a lot of people would say were awful. I'm sure a lot of kids had their perspectives changed on wildlife because of his programs.

[blackbird-song.livejournal.com]

He certainly did change people's perspectives on wildlife largely viewed as dangerous and unpopular, and for that, we all owe him an enormous debt. I hope that lives on.

As one who has worked in animal rescue and dealt extensively with wildlife rehabilitators, vets and naturalists, I have to say that he was a very controversial figure, and much of what he did onscreen is stuff that made wildlife educators wince in the 'don't try this unless you're Steve Irwin, and maybe not even then' sort of way. I come down firmly on the side that he was a force for good, but there are many who think that he behaved irresponsibly on screen and in public, and on the face of it, there were a few occasions when I found myself in partial (very reluctant) agreement.

All of that said, however, I think I probably learned more about handling snakes and other reptiles from him than from all the other naturalists put together, and I certainly learned far more about crocodilian species than I ever thought possible. I always love good teachers, and in the vast majority of ways, I think, he absolutely was one.

Catherine

[wyna-hiros.livejournal.com]

Just found out about that too. It's really depressing: he seemed like such a great guy. :/

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Yeah! I loved how he would go all gaga over reptiles and such, and taught kids that animals don't have to be pretty to be cool.

[vshendria.livejournal.com]

I just can't believe it! I feel like it has to be a joke.
I loved that guy.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

It's hard to believe, indeed. It's like Mr. Wizard dying!

[marigold6.livejournal.com]

Well they just had a quick blurb on the 11 o'clock news about - it was confirmed. Yeah, he may have been a bit out-there at times, but he seemed to have great respect and love for all animals, and that's never a bad thing. And I'm sure there were a lot of kids [and maybe some adults] that had their perspectives changed about certain mammals and reptiles. RIP, Steve.

[julchen11.livejournal.com]

It's hard to believe, I loved this guy!

[lilithlotr.livejournal.com]

y'know, some people thought he was too over-the-top, but I loved him. His enthusiasm was just so genuine, and he loved life and the world and everything in it. His "you're all right" to animals that were scared of him was just so precious

[belleferret.livejournal.com]

How very sad, yet somehow inevitable. No mundane death for him. Sure he was way out there, but no one could deny his love for animals of all types, and he did a great deal to transfer that enthusiasm to others. His family and his fans will miss him, and the world is a little bit dimmer now.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

Poor guy! Still, he died doing what he loved; no slow ignominious fade for him. I really hope that brought him a little comfort as he died, and I'll be thinking of his family, and remembering his enthusiasm.

*raises a glass to Steve the Crocodile Hunter*