Did Steve Irwin Make A Big Difference To Conservation?
His death was tragic, no doubt about it. Although, personally I think he died as he lived, doing what he loved. How many of us can say that?
What bothers me is the way he died, through a freaky accident involving a species otherwise unobserved on this planet. As always, it’s the reaction of the masses that tell the truest picture of a person’s life’s work and its REAL impact on our planet ... Always through those who rule it… What do I mean?
Well, I’m talking about the needless slaughter of hundreds of stingrays around the world, since Steve’s demise. What it says to me, sadly, is that having saved the crocodile and other wild creatures from wild weekend shooting parties and other horrors, the stingray has now become another unwitting target. Don’t believe me? Read the statistics, or take a walk to the end of a long pier like we did one warm, moonlit night, only to find some teenagers repeatedly stabbing a poor little baby stingray to death, whilst chanting, “This one’s for Irwin, you prick!”
Its times like this, that I have to take a step back into the bigger picture of multi-verses to stay sane. Let’s be philosophical about it, my mind screams, perhaps there’s a need for it all to happen this way? Perhaps now there is a reason for scientists to take a closer look at why Steve was attacked and how the misunderstanding occurred. Stingray’s, like any other wild creature will only attack when they feels threatened, won’t they? Or are they like sharks and crocodiles, killing machines who just love to kill. Although I think that’s a myth too now isn’t it? Sharks and crocodiles kill because they are hungry usually, they don’t have a venomous front line of defence like the platypus, for example. Aah, that’s a little better; I don’t feel so sick to my stomach anymore about my visit to the pier the other night.
And looking forward…. I switch the radio on for some good news to hear someone on talk-back radio say, ‘well with more people to bathe in the sea each year, perhaps its better that we wipe them (stingray’s) out completely anyway. As always, Steve just led the way.’
I really don’t believe it is what he would have wanted us to think, do you?
What bothers me is the way he died, through a freaky accident involving a species otherwise unobserved on this planet. As always, it’s the reaction of the masses that tell the truest picture of a person’s life’s work and its REAL impact on our planet ... Always through those who rule it… What do I mean?
Well, I’m talking about the needless slaughter of hundreds of stingrays around the world, since Steve’s demise. What it says to me, sadly, is that having saved the crocodile and other wild creatures from wild weekend shooting parties and other horrors, the stingray has now become another unwitting target. Don’t believe me? Read the statistics, or take a walk to the end of a long pier like we did one warm, moonlit night, only to find some teenagers repeatedly stabbing a poor little baby stingray to death, whilst chanting, “This one’s for Irwin, you prick!”
Its times like this, that I have to take a step back into the bigger picture of multi-verses to stay sane. Let’s be philosophical about it, my mind screams, perhaps there’s a need for it all to happen this way? Perhaps now there is a reason for scientists to take a closer look at why Steve was attacked and how the misunderstanding occurred. Stingray’s, like any other wild creature will only attack when they feels threatened, won’t they? Or are they like sharks and crocodiles, killing machines who just love to kill. Although I think that’s a myth too now isn’t it? Sharks and crocodiles kill because they are hungry usually, they don’t have a venomous front line of defence like the platypus, for example. Aah, that’s a little better; I don’t feel so sick to my stomach anymore about my visit to the pier the other night.
And looking forward…. I switch the radio on for some good news to hear someone on talk-back radio say, ‘well with more people to bathe in the sea each year, perhaps its better that we wipe them (stingray’s) out completely anyway. As always, Steve just led the way.’
I really don’t believe it is what he would have wanted us to think, do you?
Juan Carlos
spain again
While your'e about it
Viva l'difference
Fire News Blog
Cities dying of thirst.
Australia is the land where we try to cut down tall poppies while they're growing, and then put ex-pat poppies in vases all over our houses when the person dies.
Never underestimate the vindictiveness, bitterness and evil that vices like jealousy and envy (holy envy aside) produce ... (especially with regards to wealth and fame), and how they are swept coneniently under the carpet and replaced with crocodile tears of 'genuine' emotion and admiration at the person's life achievements, when that person you always detested in a jealous way, dies in a media frenzy.
Perhaps we should invent a couple of new terms: Virtual Poppy Syndrome (VPS) and Crocidile Tear Syndrome (CTS).
I could go on and on about this subject, but I won't. ...
My mate Pat who now lives overseas because he could never get any recognition in Australia, thinks he is the only genuine ex-Pat. He's just waiting to be cut down ...
Cheers ...
Amen & Alleulia to madmen and monks (and Croc hunters) ...
Homer ...
Juan Carlos
spain again
While your'e about it
Viva l'difference
Fire News Blog
Cities dying of thirst.
Stories: Put Them in Your Brain
Food, Wine and Coffee
One Planet
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
anway, I just wanted to add how grateful I am that there are other same people in the world, especially you wordophillia. Thank you so much for being so sane and succinct. Music to my ears!
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Yes, I think the best thing Terri has done is to remove Bindi from the media for a while anyway. She'll have a chance at normalicy and she will ultimately choose her own path. It's Steve's son that we will need to watch, I think. He has much of his father in him and is already so used to crocodiles himself. I will watch with interest as he grows.
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Yes, what is that tall poppy syndrome? Is that a strain of mutated convict mentaility, determined to elvolve into anything, but that which resembles the truth. I didn't think emu's buried their heads in the sand, do they?
Loved the comment. Thanks.
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I believe that his partner has actually finished the film, which, I'm sure you know, Steve was making for BIndi's up coming T kids TV show. One thing that puzzles me though, is why we cannot see the final footage of the accident itself. I have to ask myself, if given the chance, would I really want to watch it. Is it really important?
As a writer, I've always tried to paint pictures with words ... To receive a compliment such as yours, as in, my words are music to your ears ... almost brought tears to my eyes ... (of the non-crocodile kind) ... Thanks for such a lovely compliment ... which was also thought-provoking ... it made me turn my thoughts to the lyricism of words ...
Thank you also for the comliment regarding my succincticity (is that a word?) ...
As to me being sane ... I'ts my utter loss of sanity that enables me to make tunes out of words ... Shine on you crazy diamond David Helfgott ...
Fakes Frauds Fools
Artist Quirk
Best Emerging Artists
Please visit me when you have the time...thanks.
www.fakesfraudsfools.com
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Thanks for your comment. Freaky indeed, it all reminds me of something I once heard about the only thing necessary for the rise of evil, is for good men (and women) to do nothing, even if they look a little foolish sometimes, doing it.
I'm planning my excursion to your site soon, thanks for the invite.
Lilla.
And anyway was Steve really a conservationist or just an entertainer in khakhi?
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Yes, it may well be that Steve's TV personality was larger than his real one, but I believe he was a true conservationist at heart and was not a hypocrite - I think that is what counts here and why he was loved (Like Lady Diana). When it comes to BS, I think the ordinary soul - no matter his intent - is savvy to it, young. As a fellow Sunshine Coast resident I only live 'down the road' from Steve's backyard (Australia Zoo), and yet, I too know so little about the man himself - outside of the khaki entertainner. He was a priavte fellow, no doubts, eccentrics usually are.
What I do know though, is that it comes back to good people actually doing something about things they don't like. It's about changing what we don't like into what we do like, and in this respect Steve probably did more for species we know nothing about, than the ones he made famous. I''m talking about all the Koala's he helped save by buying up land and planting trees for them, then relocating them there. He loved Koala's and acted on it.
Perhaps the only other thing I know is that he was asked to become an honourary Professor at some University for his absolute silo of stored knowledge on Crocodiles - that's breaking down barriers by following a passion, isn't it? That's what I admired in the man. He once again proved that one man/woman/child can make a difference. He shone a torch through to all those minds you mention, from genius to mediocre.
Are you from Australia?
L.