Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Exhibitionist who provoked animals-New Straits Times*19 Sep 2006* DR A. SOORIAN, Seremban <letters ------------------------------ * " CROCODILE Hunter " Steve Irwin's death was tragic. I am not a fan of Irwin's but I must admit that he did add colour and exuberance with his dynamic (sometimes questionable) antics with animals to bring greater wildlife awareness to the masses. * Messing around with tarantulas and snakes, and provoking crocodiles with sticks are not something that children should emulate. The animals he manhandled were often understandably angry, depressed and distressed. They were just waiting to strike back. As Sir David Attenborough, the eminent authority on wildlife, would tell you, wild animals are best left alone. He used to study them from a distance without undue intrusion. But, sad to say, in our era, such methods are too insipid to wow audiences. They want real-life " on-hand " interventionists, spectacular bravado and spine-chilling wrestling matches with members of the animal kingdom. And Irwin was there to sock it to them. On the positive side, he gave us some information and enriched our knowledge about animals. In an unconventional way, he made us understand them better. But conservation of animals means not invading their privacy in their natural habitats. We should only intervene if the animal is injured or desperately needs our help. We should not exploit them for the sake of entertainment or publicity. Irwin was an exhibitionist, first and last. He loved public attention and would do anything to get it. His tango with a crocodile with one arm cradling his child reminded me too much of Michael Jackson dangling his son from a high-rise window sometime ago. And a country like Australia, which waxes eloquent on " human rights " and " child care " , did nothing to check Irwin's indiscretions. In fact, when he died, it offered to give him a state funeral. Role models are people who are respected for their talents, creativity or wisdom. Leading a reckless lifestyle culminating in an early and untimely death in macabre circumstances is something any celebrity could do without. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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