Crocodile Tears

(from September 9, 2006)

Ok, how much does it COMPLETELY SUCK that Steve Irwin is dead? I love that guy. What an inspiration -- he was probably the happiest person on earth -- if only everyone could be so passionate about their jobs and their everyday lives, and care so much about nature, animals and about other human beings; what a freakin' utopia this world would be! It just blows my mind how a young, able-bodied and seemingly invincible guy like him could be killed by something that's generally pretty benign, yet a miserable snarling old crumudgeon like Dick Cheney can get through HOW many quadruple-bypass surgeries and just NOT DIE, like a stubborn cockroach or something. I guess some people are just too good for this world ...

My first introduction to Steve Irwin was in 2002 when I went to study with Dr. Lonnie Smith in Florida. He has satellite TV so we used hang out in the evenings and watch the Crocodile Hunter together (there ain't much else to do in Fort Lauderdale, so my month there consisted solely of practicing Hammond organ and watching the Discovery Channel). Lonnie would laugh so hard at Steve's antics and comment on what a great thing he was doing and how neat it was that his wife and kids were right in there with him, up close and personal with the animals. Of course this type of thing wasn't without controversy, given that famous incident in which he fed a crocodile a dead chicken with one hand while holding his baby son in the other; though despite his off-the-wall ways, it is indisputable that he adored his family. It is terrible that his death was so untimely, yet he died doing what he loved, frolicking in the great outdoors surrounded by wildlife and hamming it up for the camera; more tragic is the fact that his wife and kids have lost an amazing husband and father and will have to be constantly reminded of the gaping hole in their lives where one of the world's most-recognized personalities once was. Because he was such a prominent public figure, there is sure to be a widespread outpouring of sympathy; yet the Crocodile Hunter was not beloved by all, and some loudmouths have been quick to spew their vitriol without first taking a step back to consider the emotional impact of their outbursts. Take Germaine Greer for instance; now she can just shove her self-righteous, insensitive garbage right back where it came from ... "the animal world has finally taken its revenge on Irwin". Those who knew and loved him as a person shouldn't have to be subjected to that kind of poisonous slander on top of all the other grief they have to deal with. I mean, I'm all for free speech and everything, but geez, get some human decency!

But I digress. Steve Irwin was so full of joy he had no room in his life for any negative energy, so I'll take a lesson from him -- I'll stop ranting and start discussing the admiration of all things crawly and slithery ...

When I was in grade one I got to pet a tarantula, and I thought it was really cool. I also really like iguanas and geckos and snakes, and when I saw the Komodo dragons in Indonesia a few years ago, I thought they were majestic and wonderful. It's easy to feel that a furry little koala bear or baby seal is adorable and deserving of our care -- and the positive attention they get is most certainly justified -- but there is a general tendency to be repulsed by reptiles; their beauty and worth are not so immediately obvious to many people, but these animals need to be respected and protected too, and Steve Irwin was on a mission to make that happen. Sure maybe he was a little crazy and over the top and did some things that were a bit questionable, but there's absolutely no doubt that he really loved those animals and was very knowledgeable about them. He knew exactly why he was put on this earth (he said so himself), and he managed to bring his message to the whole world in his own larger-than-life unorthodox way.

I am sure we will start to see many tribute-style animal documentaries -- similar shows to the Crocodile Hunter have already been on the air for years; the hosts make goofy noises, wrestle with large beasts, and desperately try to be the same charismatic, intrepid child-like ball of pure energy that Steve Irwin was; they of course fail miserably. Yet we can all hope that the cause of nature conservation and wildlife protection they all share will continue to be nurtured in his honour. There was only one true Crocodile Hunter, and people all over the world are crying real tears for the loss of one of the most unique, lovable, exuberant and genuinely free-spirited human beings we will ever see in our lifetime.


The following website contains some very touching memorial messages from all over the world
(my favorite is from sandiego_guy):
http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/crochunter/steve/condolences/condolences.html