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Steve Irwin's handling techniques
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by Puma3 on September 5, 2007
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Were Steve Irwin's handling techniques of dangerous animals reckless?
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RE: Steve Irwin's handling techniques
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by scalesandshells on September 5, 2007
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Some people on this site will definately have their own opinions...but as for me...I don't think discussing this on the world wide web is appropriate especially considering the date. It would break my heart to know that his little girl would see any negative comments posted about him.
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RE: Steve Irwin's handling techniques
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by MikeB on September 5, 2007
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Well, on balance the man did a lot of good for animal conservation and education. I was always pleased to see him add a little lecture about each critter's habits as he handled and manipulated them. However, he rarely used standard hooks and other handling tools and almost always basically freehandled even the most dangerous elapids and big vipers . . . not a good example, and a good way to get tagged. That he never was -- at least by a venomous snake -- is more a matter of good fortune than skill.
Having said that, the subtext in all the "deadly snake encounter" shows, as anyone knows who has ever dealt with herps or gone field herping, is an unstated "you know this is all staged." From Irwin to Austin Stevens and the rest, the scenes were and are pretty predicatable: "We're here searching for the elusive Species X . . . and there's one now!" Field herping doesn't work that way. I understand why the producers don't show us six hours of futile tin flipping, which would not make arresting television. We all know that they either rent a captive specimen or secure a wild-caught one in advance and conveniently drop it ten feet from the star's path as the cameras start to roll. So in most cases, these guys aren't confronting a "virgin" snake at all, but one that has already been conditioned or at least field tested for handling.
Overall I don't have a major problem with all this. The educational impact is a plus. Very few viewers are going to be overcome with sudden bravado and book a flight to southern Africa and rush out into the bush to start tailing wild mambas. The dolts with a bit of beer on board who try to show off with a WDB and get nailed were doing that before Steve I. or Austin; Darwin Award candidates will always be with us.
Still, when watching one of these shows or being asked about them, I tend to caution folks that it's still show biz and it really isn't too smart to go around grabbing Gaboons or big EDBs by the tail.
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RE: Steve Irwin's handling techniques
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by earthguy on September 5, 2007
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Why would you open this can of worms? Do a site search and you will find, I beleive, that this discussion has been rehashed 'ad nauseum'
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RE: Steve Irwin's handling techniques
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by Puma3 on September 5, 2007
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Who thinks there would be any negative comments? His career speaks for him. Apparently, he knew what he was doing and he had a special bond with nature and always will.
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RE: Steve Irwin's handling techniques
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by CrotalusUSA on September 5, 2007
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Puma, check back thru the archives. Do you always ask rediculous, boring questions? Here are some search engines that can help you..
yahoo.com
google.com (unbelievable)
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RE: Steve Irwin's handling techniques
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by Buzztail1 on September 5, 2007
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Well John,
If you didn't think there would be any negative comments, why did you ask the question?
This topic has been battled over several times here and never ends on a positive note.
R/
Karl
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RE: Steve Irwin's handling techniques
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by Kavicks357 on September 5, 2007
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Well, the techniques used by Steve the "Crocodile Hunter" Irwin are not ones I would use personally. That being said, I believe that there are people with the gift that allows them to do such things in a manner that others see as unsafe. He has done more than anyone I know of to educate and inform the general public about the plight of todays creatures. Steve Irwin has nothing but my respect and gratitude for his work. Long live "The Crocodile Hunter"!! Kavicks
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