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Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Capillas: Steve Irwin--so long mate
By Stephen Capillas
The Lowdown
IT WAS a sad day for animal lovers the world over when it was reported over TV that famed Australian crocodile hunter Steve Irwin died as a result of a poison inflicted from the tail of a stingray.
The irony of an animal expert being killed by one animal not known for being inherently aggressive may be lost for Irwin fans who remember and will miss with fondness the Australian animal expert's exuberance and sheer knowledge of about every animal he comes into contact with in his Animal Planet or wildlife programs.
A CNN video presentation asked the question of whether animal experts are crossing the line on safety for both their own and the camera crew when it comes to achieving realism in their programs -- the more realistic and brave the animal expert appears, the better for ratings so it seems.
Perhaps because of his popularity there are other animal experts who've adopted the "extreme wildlife" approach of getting up close and personal with their specimens. The closest local equivalent to Irwin is "Kuya Kim" of ABS-CBN, who wisely tempers his handling of the animals with advice to the public set to the tone of "Don't Try This At Home folks."
Anyway with his folksy, "aw shucks" -- or rather, "ello mate" -- demeanor coupled with his buoyant Australian accent Steve Irwin could make any animal presentation worth watching, whether it be a lion or a small porcupine.
This writer was a fan of Steve Irwin, who was a favorite featured guest on American talk shows in NBC and in fact Irwin can hardly be seen -- in fact he was never seen wearing anything other than those brown khaki shorts worn well above the knees almost in the style of beach wear or surfer shorts.
The day that his death was reported, several animal experts said Irwin was in his element in the outback but is hardly suited to the seas where that fateful fatal encounter with the stingray occurred.
Several accounts of the video showed Irwin supposedly coming on top of the stingray with the cameraman close behind, thus causing the marine creature to react defensively and stab Irwin on the chest with his barbed tail.
The director of the video who happened to be a close friend said watching Irwin pull out the barbed tail while on the water and seeing him gone a few seconds later was "watching a friend die in a gruesome manner."
While fans grieve over his death, some may wonder whether wildlife or animal experts would tame their presentation of animals in their programs or wear protective gear in order to ensure their safety.
Maybe not, but perhaps they can take a page from famed British naturalist and wildlife expert David Attenborough, whose ubiquitous English accent graced many a wildlife presentation in the BBC for several years already without him having to resort to the "extreme approach" now used by wildlife experts who followed his footsteps to the small screen.
Steve Irwin will sorely be missed by wildlife fans who grew to love his energy and enthusiasm not only for his animal presentations but for the knowledge he shared with the audience and his appeal for them to help preserve these species who have about as much right to exist in this planet as the two legged creatures who should know better but then intentionally or inadvertently bring about their demise by ignorance or greed.
For questions and comments, send them to sunspot12002@yahoo.com or warpath1232@yahoo.com
(September 6, 2006 issue)
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