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Why I Won't Salute Steve Irwin

By Shekhar Hattangadi November 12, 2006 at 8:55 AM

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He was an Australian, but his popularity was admittedly universal. His Crocodile Hunter series of animal documentaries attracted a regular combined viewership of more than 200-million worldwide, testifying to his global appeal.

Steve Irwin was killed in September off Australia's northeast coast after he was hit by the serrated barb from a sting-ray's tail during a diving expedition for a television shoot. He was apparently grappling with the sting-ray, which reacted in self-defence. The barb pierced his chest and stilled his heart. A most painful death, doctors said.

Was I saddened? Of course, I was. Any death saddens me. As an animal lover, will I salute Steve Irwin's memory? Sorry, I will not.

His bio-data would suggest that 44-year-old Irwin was a first-rate naturalist and wild-life crusader, even a global ambassador of conservation. In his television interviews too, he made the correct noises. His mission, he proclaimed, was to make wild-life environs palpable at close quarters, not something to be admired like a pretty picture postcard through a long-range television lens.

In his video documentaries however - and let's not forget that that's where he earned his reputation and where his legacy will ultimately endure - he came across as anything but a committed environmentalist. He trespassed into the habitats of all kinds of animals, manhandled and bullied them with a repulsive gusto, and then topped it all by startling the distressed creatures with shrieking endearments: "Crikey, my beauty, aren't you gorgeous?"

What was Irwin really aiming at? A closer personal equation with wild and dangerous creatures? Or higher television ratings?

With his chunky torso and blonde hair, his tight-fitting khaki shirt and shorts, a permanent glint in those beady eyes, and sporting an assortment of gashes from his daily encounters with danger, Steve was a rough-cut backwoods avatar of another famous Australian - cricketer Shane Warne. The comparison was most telling in their aggressive and gregarious demeanour, the barely concealed violence of their public performances, and the equally obvious glee with which they went about their chosen vocations.

But while such aggression might be admirable on a cricket field, it was strangely out of place in a zoo or even in a rainforest. Simply because it came to symbolize the arrogant White Man's unholy ambition to dominate - even annihilate, if domination is not possible - Nature and his fellow-creatures with a crafty, wily, and therefore technologically superior skill. Irwin may have tried hard to be an animal "lover" by getting physically close - even intimate - with the animals. But he succeeded merely in hreflecting the narcissistic and colonial attitude of his ancestors. If his Caucasian forefathers colonized and subjugated the dark-skinned natives of the American, African, Asian and Australian continents, Steve Irwin had set his sights on the entire animal kingdom.

Crocodiles - the more lethal and carnivorous, the better - were his self-confessed favorites. In an act that was amazing television spectacle, but dubious parenting practice, he dangled his month-old baby in one hand while feeding chickens to a hungry crocodile at hand-shaking distance in Australia Zoo. Irwin later explained to his horrified critics that he was only training the toddler to overcome its fear of crocodiles!

It is rightly said that a society can be judged by the way it treats its children and its animals. Television documentaries showing beefy control-freaks grappling routinely with animals convey the message - to impressionable growing kids, in particular - that those animals are objects to be toyed and trifled with for our entertainment: a four-legged variation of a WWF bout!

Who will rein in these control-freaks? The American Indians as well as the Australian aborigines were nearly wiped out when they resisted the "pale-faced" intruders and their ruthless ways. Would the good old Indian philosophy of ahimsa or non-violence, with its innate reverence for life, provide the answer? It's a clear pointer to the animistic origins of Hinduism that we still worship snakes and elephant-headed gods, and have designated an animal or bird as a vehicle for each mythological deity, thus ensuring that they too are deified by association. Several of the names we give our newborns - Nagaraj (snake), Ganesh (elephant), Hansraj (swan), Ashwin (horse), Sharang (deer), Sheroo (tiger) - and even family names like Singh and Popat speak of our traditional regard for the animal kingdom.

I agree that this institutionalized sentiment hardly informs the way we Indians treat animals in our daily lives, and that we need to practise ahimsa ourselves before preaching to the world. But little acts often speak loud and clear: I once witnessed a village headman in Karnataka bow tearfully in front of a crazed marauding monkey before shooting it dead. That image has somehow seared itself in my memory.

Contrast this with reports of Steve Irwin's fans mourning his death. Several of them went on a revenge-killing spree leaving a trail of dead sting-rays. For a man who is said to have lived for animals, there could be no greater failure of his life-mission.

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Comments (72 posted)

Greg Pschaida July 30, 2008 at 4:24 PM

I didn\'t really care for Shekhar\'s comments on Steve Irwin. It\'s plain to me the Shekahar, has missed the point entirely.
When I first saw Steve Irwin, I too thought his cavortations with wildlife appeared to be pointless and reckless. But, I was wrong. Steve was one of the greatest Wildlife Warriors, if not the greatest, this WORLD has ever seen. He truely had an intimate love, heartfelt concern, and an undying dedication to and for the well being of wildlife. Was Steve a first Rate Naturalist? Of course not. He was a first rate ambassador of conservation. Shekhar claims Steve Trespassed into animal habitats. Of course he did. UP DUP!? What\'s the point of that statement? By going where the animals are, one would think Steve was endangering the very animals he loved. Perhaps Shekhar is jealous of Steve Irwin accomplishments. I know I am. Steve did more for Wildlife Conservation in a single week of his incredible life, then Shekahar, or I will ever achieve in our entire lifetime.

Nicolle September 24, 2007 at 11:18 AM

I think that steve irwin was a very good man and he does not deserve this kind of discipline. He loved his family very much... and he loved animals very much. I wanted to learn about him more so I am doing an assigned science project on him. He was so young to die. I miss you Steve Irwin.

meylin aoun July 20, 2007 at 5:34 AM

ok the croc hunter was an awesome dude so he looks like another wildlife biologist so what that makes him a bad guy? So he held his daughter while feeding his crocodile. That was a really careless mistake, but nothing happened and that doesn't make him a bad person. And his fans killed on, so its a dead man's fault? You have no life for posting such a mean thing to Steve Irwin. You make him look like a poser and a bad father and a zombie that makes pople kill stingrays. I however do love the crocodile hunter he did do a good job and his death was tragic.

Martin May 1, 2007 at 11:30 AM

Steve Irwin did more for the animals in this world than anyone before him. He made made many millions of dollars through his TV shows and movies and what did he do with the money? He used it to create animal sanctuaries all around the world (including Australia Zoo) and he set up wildlife preservation organisations like wildlife warriors. Steve was never on TV for Fame or money, he did it because he loved animals and wanted everyone to share his love. If you had watched any of his shows you would know this. Once when he was in the jungle a orangatang mother allowed Steve to get close to her baby, the orangatang showed now signs of fear of Steve (who was in tears due to the trust shown.) Steve would never hurt animals!!! and he has done more for this planet than Shekhar Hattangadi could in 1 million life times.

Murali April 8, 2007 at 11:14 PM

While I am not sure who this profoundly ignorant, overly zealous, self styled defender of Indian values is, I must say that he has just shown off his utter stupidity to the whole world. Being an Indian-Hindu-Brahmin myself, I was pleasantly delighted to see how the western man (largely) loves and treats animals (and even fellow human beings!!) unlike us Indians. His tirade against the white man may have been valid decades ago, the vast majority of white men, be it in the US, Australia, the UK, Canada, Switzerland based on my first hand experience are vastly more cultured than the rest of the world, including us Indians!!
Mr. Hattangadi: Steve was a great human being first, and an animal lover next, and will always be loved inspite of your torrents! For heavens sake, pl.keep your ignorance to yourself and don't disrobe in public!

Panache April 3, 2007 at 4:49 AM

Shekhar did well by writing this article. There is no doubt that Steve loved wild life and at the same time it is also true that his behavior towards animals, bordering on obnoxious left a lot to be desired. He, I hear, contributed a lot towards the Australian zoo and for that he should be appreciated. As for the fact that he was 'universally loved', I can only say that he was most missed by the kind of people who went on a killing spree against innocent creatures following the sad accident.

Kylie March 5, 2007 at 2:48 PM

I don't care what you think about Steve Irwin, but you should show respect for someone who was so dedicated in making a difference for the better. He accomplished many things, helped people understand aniamls. He played a great part in helping animals. it's a very big loss, that he is no longer with us. He was and still is my hero. And for the respect you don't give, "we" make up for it.

sfd January 16, 2007 at 2:38 PM

Aleisha, indeed, there are many people who works in their profesion solely for the purpose of fame. Of course, Steve Irwin also worked for fame. But as you might have noticed, he hasn't used his fame to bad use. He instead used his fame to touch people's hearts and convince them that animals deserve places in the world and our mind and hearts. He also used his fame to earn millions for the conservation of endangered animals, tutoring people, educating kids, and take care and expanding his zoo. He doesn't keep his millions for his own indulgence I believe he lives in a normal, mid-sized three-bedroom home. His car isn't what you'd expect from a man who earned millions of dollars a year. He's a true modern animal conservationist, and I will continue to respect and defend him.

Aleisha Avatar January 10, 2007 at 5:56 AM

The article may have been a bit harsh, but the fact is, there are people in the wildlife area who are not truly working for the animals. While I personally think Steve Irwin was beneficial in calling attention to animals despite putting himself in danger that I am not sure was always wise, Jack Hanna is far more of a media whore and has actually harmed animals..... People love this guy and to me, he has always come off as a jerk.
I think everyone who wrote in to comment was probably 14 years old. It shows. You all need to learn that somewhere between your point of view and someone elses is probably where the truth lies. And don't believe everything you see/hear....a lot of times, it is carefully contrived.