Croc Hunter

[Planogirl]

I think that Steve showed questionable judgment in this case but I agree that it's not my place to judge. His background and experience are way different than mine and I can't presume to understand his feelings in the matter.

As for whether Roy's tiger was protecting him or not, I tend to trust Siegfried and Roy's opinions since they are the experts. Animals do sometimes help humans. Pets have saved people from burning homes and other threats and dolphins have saved drowning swimmers. I don't dispute that wild animals are better off in the wild but since the wild areas are disappearing, that's another issue.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by Nutsy
Nobody is perfect & certainly not Steve, but why the heck can't he do what he feels is right for his kids. It's the way he was brought up & he's doing the same for his kids. It's his way of life.

The only problem I have with this is we'd have to apply this policy to all families.

What about the "mother" that was caught on video beating her child in a parking lot. If that was the way she was brought up and she feels it's the right thing to do for her kids, should she be left alone?

What about parents that leave the kids in the car while they run into the store?

 

[battricia]

Another thing I feel people need to consider is that Steve Erwin knows these animals as well as he knows his own children. I highly doubt he would bring his child in a pit with an animal that he knows to be agressive.
I do agree that at times any animal can be unpredictable, however, at times ANY HUMAN can be unpredictable, the WEATHER can be unpredictable, your family pet can be unpredictable, etc. Most people allow their children to come in contact with their family pet, and why? Because for the most part they know their animal, and that it's not likely that the animal they have will hurt anyone. Most people allow their children to ride in a car with them, because they think their driving is predictable. Even if the child is completely strapped in and you are doing everything right while driving, it doesn't mean that EVERYONE ELSE On the road is doing the same thing, or feels the same way. It is impossible to predict everything that's going to happen, but most people use their best judgement when it comes to endangering their lives and their childrens lives. I feel that Steve did the same thing.


tricia.

 

[Blondie]

Here's what I just read:

Croc Hunter Irwin Flees Media Frenzy
Jan 4, 9:00 PM EST

The "Crocodile Hunter" has become the hunted. Following a weekend of bad publicity, Steve Irwin and his family retreated from the media spotlight and the public outrage he provoked by hand-feeding a crocodile Friday while holding his infant son, a spokesman for his production company said Monday.

"Steve's gathering his thoughts at the moment, he's not available for comment," John Harrison from Best Picture Show told The Associated Press.

Harrison said he has been inundated with phone calls from across Australia and around the world inquiring about Irwin, who has gained worldwide fame for his "Crocodile Hunter" show on the Animal Planet network, in which he chats excitedly about exotic and dangerous creatures — sometimes from extremely close proximity to the beasts.

Since giving a news conference Saturday, Irwin has gone underground and refused to speak about Friday's media stunt gone wrong.

Local media reported that Irwin left his popular reptile park in Beerwah, north of Brisbane, but his spokesman declined to comment on his whereabouts.

The celebrated animal lover, who has survived tussles with giant pythons, poisonous snakes and crocodiles, was blasted for feeding a 13-foot crocodile as he cradled 1-month-old son Robert on Friday at his park in northeastern Australia.

"What was Steve thinking?" Australian paper "The Sun Herald" asked Sunday.

Local and international media said the stunt mirrored Michael Jackson's dangling of his infant son over a balcony in Berlin for the media in November 2002.

But Irwin angrily rejected any comparisons between himself and Jackson.

"I would never, ever put him in any danger, not in a million years," Irwin said in Australia's Sunday Telegraph.

"To hear people say that it was a publicity stunt, that I'm just like Michael Jackson well, it just tears me up. It makes me sick to my stomach to be compared in that way."

Viewers jammed telephone lines to vent their ire. Child welfare groups likened the incident to abuse, saying Irwin endangered his son. Police delivered a warning, while Queensland state authorities said they would investigate for possible violation of workplace safety laws.

However, police told reporters Sunday they would not bring charges against Irwin.

The Sunday Telegraph also reported that after the crocodile feeding, Irwin and his American wife, Terri, told their 5-year-old daughter, Bindi, to splash around in a pool near a crocodile pen to encourage the reptiles to swim out.

"Now flail around and look helpless, that's the girl, good girl," Terri Irwin was quoted as saying. "That's my girl, Bindi Irwin, the other white meat."

A zoo official was quoted by the paper as saying a gate connecting the pool to the crocodile pen had been shut.

The Irwins would not comment on the report, Harrison said.

 

[holycow]

I just saw Steve and his little DD give an interview with Matt Lauer and the poor guy has been through the ringer...He apoligized profusely and said he would never knowingly put his children in any danger.
When asked what he would have done differently on Friday he said he wished he had been surfing.

I too just cringe when I see the video! but I truly felt remorse from him...his little daughter was rubbing her daddy's cheek and hugging him.

I hope the poor guy learned his lesson ...we shouldn't use our children to generate publicity.


Holycow

 

[Blondie]

Very often the public isn't very forgiving and this could finish his career and haunt him for years.

On the other hand, people may just write it off.

Only time will tell which direction this will go.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

He is on the Today show now. Matt is interviewing him and Steve is hopping MAD!

 

[KristiKelly]

I too, believe that he showed poor judgement, but also believe he was in pretty good control of the situation. As a parent, I'm sure we have all done something "questionable" in someone elses eyes. My 6 y/o is a big fan and we've seen just about everything there is on Croc. Hunter. We've seen the tapes of when Bindy was born and judging by the tears, there's no doubt he loves his family 100%, as well as his fellow workers. The life he leads, his children have to be exposed and educated on the these animals, however, I don't know what a 1 month old is going to get out of it. Bottom line, would I do it to my kids - NO, I'm just glad his not my husband.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Nutsy,

I would love to come to Australia and see the Zoo! How far of a plane ride is it from Hawaii? I've been there before, and didn't want to leave.

I went to a Crocodile Park in South Carolina and the guy in charge was exploitive, and didn't emphasize any issues of conservation. I wasn't too thrilled with that reptile park.

On another note, I had a professor that claimed that" extreme risk takers" have a subconscious desire to commit suicide. I thought that it sounded wacky, but when I see people doing crazy things, it makes me wonder. Not that I'm trying to say that Steve has any psychological issues. I'll leave that up to the experts.

Blondie, thanks for keeping us updated!

 

[Nutsy]

I'm not sure how long the plane trip would be.

It's 16.5 hrs from Brisbane to LA but Hawaii is about a 4hr flight from the mainland tho hey?

You know I've never been a fan of Steve. I've always called him an idiot. But.............since having visited Australia Zoo for the first time in 6 yrs I'm still 'NOT A FAN" but I have a renewed respect for him & what he does.

I realise it's an awful long way to travel to see him live, but until I did I used to think he was an accident waiting to happen.

He really is a nice guy under all the macho stuff. A genuine sincere guy who loves his family with all his heart.

It's so very sad what has happened recently. The media only show what they want to show, not the full picture.

It's so hard to explain what it's like & how safe it really was for both Steve & baby Robert.

As for the Bindi splashing around in the water...............there are no crocs in that pool with her. Yes the gate is closed.......the crocs are in a separte enclosure outside & they are released later in the show. The only croc in that water is Steve........he snorkels up to Bindi. So, as you can all see.....Bindi was quite safe......no crocs, unless of course you consider her Daddy to be a croc.

 

[Planogirl]

I saw the incident from another angle today and Steve appeared to be further away from the croc than it appeared on the other film. He was also standing sideways almost holding the baby behind him.

I still question his judgment but this appears to be another case of the press jumping on something and making it out to be worse than it really is. I'll certainly continue to watch his shows.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

The plane ride to Honolulu was really traumatic for me! I think it was like 11 hours of pure torture. I'm a nervous flier, and I hate sitting in one place!

I'd love to see Australia some day. Please tell me where the beaches are with the salt water crocodiles. I want to avoid those!

I thought that Steve was supposed to be on Larry King Live last night, but he wasn't on! Does anyone know when he'll be on?

 

[minniecarousel]

Steve is obviously a person who craves attention - he got it! albeit unfavorable attention.

One point: a one month old baby needs more support for his head than he was giving it. That "tuck under the arm" hold is not a very healthy way to hold an infant!

 

[MosMom]

I can write off him feeding the croc with the baby in his arms...the croc wanted the bait not the baby...fine. However, I had a problem with Steve then "walking" that tiny baby in the grass in front of the croc. That concerned me. No bait, no diversion, that made the baby the target. That shocked me more than anything.

That croc is used to chunks of meat about the size of a newborn coming from Steve's hand. He had just fed the croc and had the scent of meat on his hands. I just didn't find that part very smart at all. Yes, baby Robert was safe tucked in his arm probably but not being danced on the ground in front of the croc. Not smart.

 

[Pete's Mom]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
Every parent has put their child at risk at some point. Children die on bicycles, on cars, choke to death on hot dogs etc. What do you think should be done to parents who put their children in danger by letting their children ride bikes, ride in cars or eat hot dogs?

What you have listed is a part of everyday life and unless you are going to live in bubble, you have to take those risks. My son is 7 now. He wears his helmet at all times when he skates or rides his bike and only in our driveway (we live on 3 acres). I never let him go outside and play alone. I am always right there. He still sits in a car seat, even though he is not required by law to do so. Until he was old enough to eat a hot dog on his own, I always cut them up into little slices. Simple precaution, that's all. We don't take unneccesary risks. Even if we are riding down to the mailbox, I make sure Pete is buckled in. Now I know that there is literally no chance that someone is going to smash into us in the driveway, but I could never live with myself if something happened to Pete because of my own stupidity or laziness. It is certainly worth the time and extra effort to keep him safe.

Regardless of why the Irwin's did what they did, I am at least glad that it was brought to their attention how dangerous it is. I think because they deal with crocs all the time, they are kind of desensitized to the dangers. I just saw some footage where Steve recently got nailed by a croc in the back of the leg.

Oh, and I also agree with the poster that said a one month old needs head support. Geez, that kids head was bobbing all over the place!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I wasn't going to bother to even post here.... But, after this all crossed my mind again, I just felt I had to.

IMO Steve Irwin is an idiot! If he wants to make the decision to wrestle with crocodiles, then that is perfectly fine... but that innocent one month old baby, and Irwin's precious little daughter (who is the same age as my little precious son), are not given the chance to make that decision! He is using his children for his own gain, fame, and gratification, putting them in danger, and on public display, like some sick circus act! And to then say it is for their own good... and. "They DIG it...." Spare me that BS. (That is what child molesters think too.....) What a 'Croc'.... (PUN INTENDED) This whole thing is just kind of sickening.

And, please do not even try to tell me that these children are not in danger. These are dangerous, carnivorous wild animals. Period.

Look at Sigfried and Roy... And look at what happened to this guy who is the very equivilent to Steve Irwin, but with wild bears. I just copied this off the news story online as a reminder.

______________________________________
A self-taught bear expert who once called Alaska's brown bears harmless party animals was one of two people fatally mauled in a bear attack in Katmai National Park and Preserve - the first known bear killings in the 4.7-million-acre park.

The bodies of Timothy Treadwell, 46, and Amie Huguenard, 37, both of Malibu, Calif., were found near Kaflia Bay on Monday when a pilot with Andrew Airways arrived to pick them up and take them to Kodiak, Alaska State Troopers said. The park is on the Alaska Peninsula.
______________________________________


Any person who thinks that any minor child has ANY purposeful place in proximity to dangerous wild animals is seriously deluded. There is simply no good or valid reason for these children to be where Irwin has placed them.

Hopefully the Child Protective Services who have been involved in this situation have made this very very clear to Irwin.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

I remember a few years back, our local snake expert was bitten in his home and after he was bitten, managed to crawl to the street pavement where he died. And this man was an "expert" who was allowed to bring his dangerous snakes into the schools with complete trust on the officials' part.

This incident may be a blessing in disguise for Steve's children. Obviously he is a fanatic who exposed and would continue to expose his children to death by crocodile.

Now, he has been reprimanded he will actually have to rethink his stunts if he originally planned to "educate" his children at the same time.

Have you noticed the dog in the Steve Irwin movie. He sits and cowers in the boat. He obviously the only one with common sense in the bunch.

 

[Nutsy]

Originally posted by minniepumpernickel
The plane ride to Honolulu was really traumatic for me! I think it was like 11 hours of pure torture. I'm a nervous flier, and I hate sitting in one place!

I'd love to see Australia some day. Please tell me where the beaches are with the salt water crocodiles. I want to avoid those!

I thought that Steve was supposed to be on Larry King Live last night, but he wasn't on! Does anyone know when he'll be on?

Where Steve is, is nowhere near the beaches with the crocs.

You will only encounter them way up north. So you are safe around Brisbane & the Sunshine coast (where Aust Zoo is)

 

[Nutsy]

Originally posted by Planogirl
I saw the incident from another angle today and Steve appeared to be further away from the croc than it appeared on the other film. He was also standing sideways almost holding the baby behind him.

I still question his judgment but this appears to be another case of the press jumping on something and making it out to be worse than it really is. I'll certainly continue to watch his shows.

This is exactly what I've been saying all along.

I've been there & know how the place is buit & that Steve & the baby were quite safe.

At no time were either in danger. Crocs just leap like a lion........they are grounded.....it's only their jaws that they can lift off the ground.

Plus remember that where ever Steve is there is always someone else either side of him also with food. At all times he was in radio contact with 6 other keepers.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Originally posted by Nutsy
Where Steve is, is nowhere near the beaches with the crocs.

You will only encounter them way up north. So you are safe around Brisbane & the Sunshine coast (where Aust Zoo is)

Okay, well I want to see everything! Large spiders, venomous snakes, sharks, just from a safe distance. it sounds like Austraulia has some of the most incredible wildlife in the world.

Nice talking with you nutsy!