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

[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