Steve Irwin

[CoolioTiffany]

Steve Irwin was a great guy, so I wanna know what impression he left on you. How did you get into watching his shows? What was your favorite thing to see him work with, like did you like seeing him handle snakes, catch crocodiles, work with the kualas, etc.?

[matt71915]

i watched him all the time when i was little, i always remember my mom saying how crazy he was for running around and jumping on the crocs, I really liked when he would wrangle the crocs and i also loved the snakes. I think he is the sole reason why i started liking snakes and wanted one soo bad. My mom would never let me though I finally talked her into it though

[CoolioTiffany]

Ya he's the reason why I love snakes and reptiles, and now I have 6 snakes of my own including 2 other reptiles. He is my idol and hero, and he will never be forgotten. And I hope ya get a snake, they are quite something (;

[matt71915]

i will never forget him, i pla on traveling to austrailia to visit his zoo one day
they are awesome, i now have 4 more to come too

[mainbutter]

I liked him because he was the real deal.. He actually had a very serious background in handling, care, capture, and rescue of large dangerous reptiles way before the TV show ever existed.

He wasn't the sole inspiration for my obsession with scaly critters(especially crocodilians) but he certainly helped that obsession grow

Back in dec. 07 I was able to complete a pilgrimage to the australia zoo. I wish I had been able to be there when he was still alive, but it was still an incredible experience.

I'll admit it, I cried when I heard about his death.

[Montessa Python]

I have mixed feelings about him.
He did a lot of dangerous things that he did not need to do.
Perhaps it was the producers who decided he needed to have a "danga" (danger)
factor.
Other naturalists who teach about creatures in the wild did not do some of the things he did and taught us all very well without the danger need.

One show I remember watching he went out with a group to catch wild bulls.
They gave him a jeep and a rope, one bit of rope..
They would push the bull over with the jeep, using a couple of tires on the front to cushion the hit.. then while the bull was down, tie his legs together so he couldn't get up.
Well off goes steve, they get a bull... either he had used his one bit of rope, or couldn't find it.. so he improvises and uses his belt.
Now I applaud the effort, but wild bulls are dangerous and he should have been better prepared.
with reptiles he was a genius.
Hands down.
But he knew little or nothing about manta rays or other rays... why couldn't he do something on sea krates or sea turtles...
Not only did he OR his crew not do ANY research on the animal he was going to interact with... There was the internet, there are ray experts out there...
They should have known of the danger of dealing with these shark relatives.
His showmanship OR at the urging of his producers, his antics left him dead.
He left behind a young daughter who now feels she must somehow live up to his image.
OR her mother feels the need to carry on his fame by making her child do t.v. shows like dear ole dad...
Bindi the Jungle Girl...
All naturalists preach safety, and years of experience.
Steve ignored that and so did his crew and he died.
It IS sad, but preventable, and a waste.
This is just MY opinion.
Carol

[Maize411]

He's definitely a large reason why I am so into reptiles today..When I first saw his show, I knew I wanted to work with reptiles as well. I loved watching him wrestle the crocs (come on who didn't..lol) but my favorite was when he was admiring the other animals he would find while searching for snakes or crocs..Like the koalas, lions..and of course when he talked about the animals at his zoo..which he loved very dearly :0)

[guambomb832]

Steve Irwin was the man who inspired to become a biologist. I loved reptiles since I was little, and I mom says when I was a baby I accidentally ate a dead lizard(very gross, I guess that what got me in!) but I would ask my dad if I could have a brown tree snake or a monitor lizard, I loved to catch geckos and lizards all around my house, I actually let one loose in my house, but I got it and released it I got 2 snakes and a bearded dragon and I want more but my parents said no, but anyway I still watch Steve Irwin and he was always the best and the most respected. He will be missed and not forgotten. RIP Steve

[PiebaldFan]

i will never forget him, i pla on traveling to austrailia to visit his zoo one day
they are awesome, i now have 4 more to come too

i had the same thought lol.. yea steve irwin is my hero and i will never forget him ever since a lil kid coming from poland we didnt have much of a tv, or porgrams, so when i move dot america i turnbed on the tv and saw him, feeding a croc, i loved the way he was soo happy about wat he is doing and he chased his dreams, he got bit by the croc and seemed to be proud of it and all he said is that ,wow aint she just a beautay, crikey, im sweating bullets, not only reptiles but along with parots mammals etc, he has made me have more repsect for animals and made me believe that if i focus on it and put my mind on it i can achieve it, R.I.P steve irwin u are always in our loving memories!!

paul

[Argentra]

He was one of my two 'distance mentors' - men I never got to meet but who strongly influenced my love of animals and nature (and music with the second). I watched his shows every chance I got, I wanted SO much to go to his zoo and meet him and the family, and I saw past the showy nature of what he did to the core - to show folks what beautiful, wonderful creatures reptiles are.

I cried all day when he died, and for a month after whenever I saw a picture or a TV clip. Like my first mentor, he died before I got a chance to meet him and share the enthusiasm and love for what he did. I will always miss him, and if I ever get the chance to have that refuge I always wanted, his initials will be part of the name.

For those who wonder, my other mentor was John Denver. I was named after one of his songs, and he was always my inspiration for my singing as well as my love of nature and wildlife.