God's Work

Steve 'The Croc Hunter Irwin' R.I.P 1962-2006

He was probably the best known OZzie of our time, and a personal favourite of mine I'd have to say. Seen by milions across the world and recognized by just about every kid on the planet, his credentials and assosiation with wild animals must have left a lasting impression of him on all of us. His delicate handling of animals and the way he speaks to them in thick Ozzie accent, was what my Saturday afternoons were all about. Me and probably a couple of million other people.

Steve was idolized by kids and grownups alike for his passion for wild animals and his sureal approach in caring for them as if they were humans with needs and emotions. We would all remember him as the OZzie bloke, who in his cream khakhi coloured pants and short sleeved shirt, would wrestle crocs and hold up snakes while talking to them as if they were mates having a crack over a barbie. Hes taught us that if we handled animals with pride and habitual love, we could comfortably coexist with them and make ours a better world to live in. He believed in this. He lived by it. He also died by it, it seemed.

Steve .... thank you for appearing in my living room every saturday afternoon at 4, and showing me that animals are indeed precious creatures that should be treated with love and respect. The same way you would another human being. Thank you for making me a better person. You are indeed the lucky few, who've been immortalized by the work that you've done and the footprints that you've left behind. Now that you're gone, your work and conservation for animals live on through your family and friends. If not through the millions of people on the planet, to whom you have taught and touched every saturday afternoon.

Steve Irwin died of a heart attack yesterday, after he was stung by a stingray off the coast of Queensland while filming an underwater documentary. It is said that this was probably only the 4th recorded death caused by a stingray. You'd have to be stung at exactly the right spot on the chest, like Irwin was to have caused a mucsle spasm which led to the heart attack. What are the chances of that happening? For a guy thats handled hundreds of crocodiles, snakes and other poisonous relics, to have lost it to a stingray was most definately god's work.