Null tribute to Steve Irwin
By Steve Robinson
It was a great shock to learn that the Australian naturalist and TV Personality Steve Irwin was pronounced dead on Monday morning. Perhaps it is fitting that he died doing what he loved: promoting knowledge of the world's animals through a documentary that he was filming whilst diving off the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia.Steve Robert Irwin was born in February 1962 to Lyn and Bob Irwin. In 1970 he moved to Queensland where his parents started up a small Reptile and Fauna Park. Given his encounters with crocodiles from an early age it was no surprise that Steve became a crocodile trapper, charged with removing crocodiles from populated areas and using them to stock the park.
His rise to fame came from a video of his honeymoon with his wife Terri, whom he had met at the park. As a family business, the park had been handed over to Steve from his parents in 1991, who renamed it 'Australia Zoo' shortly after. The crocodile-catching footage became the first episode of the extremely successful series 'The Crocodile Hunter', which has been his pseudonym ever since.
With the catchphrase "crikey!", Steve went on to produce a series of Television series and even a feature film. The trademark image of him kneeling in front of a dangerous animal was risky but extremely captivating, and he quickly became a household name. He was also no stranger to controversy. Indeed, a special episode of Animal Planet entitled 'Crocodiles & Controversy' was commissioned after he notoriously held his baby son whilst feeding a crocodile during a live demonstration at the Australia Zoo.
More importantly perhaps, he was a great contributor to environmentalism. His enthusiastic style was aimed at encouraging people to become passionate about the natural world. He founded the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation (later renamed 'Wildlife Warriors Worldwide') in an attempt to halt the destruction of rare species from poaching. "I consider myself a wildlife warrior," he once said. "My mission is to save the World's endangered species." He died on Monday, 4th September after he was pierced through the heart by the barb of a Stingray just off the coast of Low Isles, Queensland. His death was reported with great sadness, and tributes soon poured in.
His flamboyant presenting style and passion for his work will never be forgotten. It is certain that, through repeats of his programmes in the coming years, another generation will be informed and entertained by his energetic performances.
The Australian Prime Minister expressed his shock and distress at the news. "Australia has lost a wonderful and colourful son."
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