 |
| Photographer unknown, "Steve Irwin," found in online article: "Crikey, snail named after Steve Irwin," The Cairns Post, last modified 14, Nov. 2009, accessed 1 Nov. 2012, http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2009/11/14/75995_local-news.html. |
Steve
Irwin is arguably the most famous Australian and the world’s most famous
wildlife expert. He rose to fame as the television personality, the “Crocodile
Hunter,” although the name is misleading because he strongly emphasized and
encouraged conservation up until his death in 2006.
Conservationist
As
described early in the analysis of the Australia Zoo, Steve Irwin has his
influence in many conservation initiatives. But perhaps the best way he
inspired conservation (as well as education) was through his excitement about
nature.
“Steve’s
dream” is to buy large amounts of land for conservation, and his wife, Terri, -
along with many other people at the Australia Zoo and worldwide - is working to
make it happen.[1]
Criticisms
Of
course not everyone is going to agree that Irwin’s work was entirely moral.
Some people criticize him for disturbing the animals in their natural
environment for his television show. This video is an example:
People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals (PETA) argues Irwin’s motives with the following quote:
“Does the public really need to see
someone dragging a frightened snake out of a hole and flailing the animal
around on a stick in order to realize how important and morally imperative it
is to respect and protect that animal?”[2]
 |
| http://radio-weblogs.com/0111737/categories/wow/Crikey.html |
Despite differing viewpoints, it is up
to the individual to decide whether or not he was exploiting animals for the
fame and profit.
World’s Reaction to Death
When
Steve Irwin died in September 2006 due to a stingray attack, people around the
world were devastated. Millions watched his funeral service. Additionally, the
Australia Zoo experienced an increase in number of visitors, and donations to
the Wildlife Warriors conservation foundation increased.
 |
| http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/sorrow-and-shock-after-stingray-death/2006/09/05/1157222131818.html |
In
the weeks following Irwin’s death, at least 10 stingrays were found dead,
mauled, and washed up along Queensland shores. While it cannot be confirmed, it
is believed that Irwin fans were taking out their anger and getting revenge on
the stingray species.[3] A true Irwin
fan would know that this is not what he would have wanted.
 |
| "Beth and Steve Irwin," personal photo, Australia Zoo, 6 Oct. 2012. |
[1]
William J. Brown,
"Steve Irwin's Influence on Wildlife Conservation." Journal Of
Communication 60, no. 1 (March 2010): 73-79. Communication & Mass
Media Complete, EBSCOhost, accessed 2 Oct. 2012.
[2]
"Steve Irwin: Not a True 'Wildlife Warrior'," People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals,
last modified 2012, accessed 2 Oct. 2012, http://www.peta.org/features/steve-irwin.aspx?c=ptwit,
n.p.
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