Steve Erwin A Fake?

[BWSmith]

must of you's would not even attempt holding those reptiles.

And even those of us that do work with venomous would not handle them the way he does. It is taking uneeded risks. We try to use proper and safe handling tactics.

I will admit that his show brought herps (particularly hots) into the public eye. But it has caused a great deal of ill effects as well, not because of his show, but because of his reckless handling tactics. I cannot remember the last time I watched an entire episode. In general, within 5 to 10 minutes I see something so reckless and stupid that I have to change the channel. I was disappointed that I did watch the entire Eastern Diamondback Episode, but my wife made me change the channel because I was yelling the TV too loud, litterally.

[BWSmith]

OK, if anyone is up for a LOOOOOOONG read, I got one for ya.

This was a post I did on ReptileHaven. I even put up alink on the Steve Irwin Fan Site just to get some opinions from fans I know, I am a trouble maker.

Steve Irwin: Friend or Foe

[reptilesalonica]

I cannot agreed with you BW Smith on some parts. I saw many times Steve Irwin's show and i believe that he is doing a very good job. What people can or want to understand from what he offers is their problem and their responsibility. If children saw 10 episodes of Croc Hunter and go to a dealer to buy hot snakes then Steve Irwin is not responsible neither kids. If the herp dealer wants to make money and do not respect his own job by selling hots to kids then THEY are responsible for the future banning in venomous snakes. In this point i can only agree that Steve Irwin don't handle the snakes properly and this is a bad example for others that see him, especialy children. Like you said, "Education is the key" and "Herp community has many enemies and few allies."
~Greg~

[DavidBeard]

How about if you don't like his show, then DON"T WATCH it. Quit bitching and find something better to do.

[BWSmith]

I tried the whole "Ignore the problem and it will go away" thing once, doesn't really work to well. If it was mearly a harmless show that I did not like, then not watching works for me. That is why I have never seen an episode of American idol or Survivor. The difference is that there are actually RESULTS from his program that i often have to deal with and dispell. I have never seen anyone get bitten by a microphone because someone on American Idol was holding wrong.

[rattekonigin]

I say if anybody is stupid enough to go out and grab the first wild snake they see because they saw Steve Irwin do it (regardless of whether it's venomous or not, because most "lay-people", if you will, can't tell the difference anyway) and, as a result, gets envenomated and dies, well they deserved it...I have 2 words, people: "Darwin Awards"

[JD@reptiles]

Just to point out one thing you guys spell Steve Irwin wrong all the time lol. but i agree he is a dumbass.

Jordan

[BWSmith]

ahhhhh, that is what I like, differing opinions And it has even stayed civil for the most part!

[Alicewave]

I think he has done a lot to promote conservation and to educate kids but I cannot for the life of me understand why he does not engage in more cautious handling practices. It's inexcusable and it wouldn't be that difficult to fix and I doubt that it would detract from the show one bit.

[Tim and Julie B]

Well I agree that I don't like some of his tactics like making the cobra regurge another cobra so he can show it on TV. It might be a little staged. Think about it no snake = no show. He probably has a group of people looking then does commentary after it's found. But you can't stage some of the things he does like moving crocs. It can't be staged because they can't be predicted. He is not my favorite but all I have to say is watch the episode were he rescues those crocs in Indo from they're discusting garbage ridden mud puddles and puts them in a brand new facility with a trained staff. That he paid for. If that doesn't at least make you respect or like him a little then you aren't a true herp lover. He does tons of rescues and conservation efforts. His good far out ways the bad! His snake handling techniques are a little primative but remember were he is from and how he learned. It wasn't in a controled environment. But I agree that he should broaden his handeling equipment (stick vs snake hook) but if that is what he is comfertable with it and used to it then I can see why ( I don't agree though). Lets not forget that he has never been bitin. True or not. He still handels a lot of hots successfully. We might not agree but we aren't lisenced herpitologists (sp). Remember the Yin and the Yang. With every good there is a little bad. With every bad there is a little good. That's what keeps it all balanced. He does more good then bad. Anyways I'm done.-Tim.

By the way I agree with a lot of what you guys have said. I am not trying to dispute it. Just look beyond it for a second. And how come no ones fav. is O'Shea or Brady Barr? No National Geographic channel?

[unknownclown]

You know its his recklessness that has made him so popular and famous and therefore opening the eyes to non herpers in helping them understanding them and with that see the beauty in these quite misunderstood creatures. Everyone who sees the show thinks to themselves "Oh my god this guy is insane!"
The kids love it I see kids that want to grow up and be just like him which I think is great and an excellent oppertunity for the adults to inform them of how crazy Steve realy is. I too would be scared if a bunch of kids after seeing his show ran outside with sticks to play with rattle snakes. But most likely 9 times outta 10 the kids who live in rattlesnake areas have developed an early respect/fear of them and know to give them their space or should be supervised by the parents outside until they do develop the propper respect/ fear of them.
I guess I could go both ways I can see him both being a good and bad influence on kids, I say kids because adults should know better
Wheather its fake... I realy dont care. I mean how would you like it if you watched him wonder around and found nothing durring the whole show. Actually it could be sorta funny in a boring kinda way But I see no problem if they go out search for the animals ahead of time and afterwards do the scenes. I also dont think it matters to me if they take the animals from the zoo and plant them there and do the segments. I still get to drool over the different species laugh at his stupidity and hope just once I get to see him get nipped from being overly arrogant with the handling. I love it when a little lizzard attaches its self to Steves nose!

[marisa]

O.k but each day on TV I see demolition shows, I see South American tribe shows, showing kids swimming in piranha infested waters, I see shows talking about extreme sports, all these shows have one thing in common with Steve...they are all trying to explain something that can kill you. Much in the same way Steve handles a snake, they show you how they hook up dynamite.

Whats to stop some demolition nut from trying it? Whats to stop a reptile nut from trying it?

So with in that respect I can say no more about his shows without saying the same thing about a million other shows on TV. Venemous snakes aren't the only things out there that can kill, that are shown in TV daily. Its one of those things you can't stop.

Marisa

[Dozer]

Dumbass, I wouldn't say, hes done so much for any species of animal that we dont even know about... you cant just look at what he does in his shows, look at the whole of things, and if you dont like it, its all good, I beleive its more editing rather then setups... but then again, beleive its not and you'll enjoy the show more...

[BWSmith]

I have no issues with the placing of animals, and I applaude all that he has done and does for conservation. None of that is what concerns me.

[KrokadilyanGuy3]

...Personally, I think Irwin shouldn't of gotten out of his main interest. Crocodilians. I aw very little things he did wrong with them.. Besides getting bit on the foot but accidents happen especially 9' Porosus worth of adrenaline... And for the post on jumping gators and crocs, when you have worked with these animals you'll understand, and for stealing eggs.. He's permitted to. Besides the taking of the eggs and artificially incubating them has given nearly 100% hatch rate to Gators and Salties. Irwin was my favorite then because he wasn't worried about ratings and makig money. He was drawn into it..
Him and hot snakes do not match for obvious reasons..
And by the way Dr. Brady Barr is my favorite. The only thing I don't like is the fact that he often uses a barbed spear to catch crocodilians.. But he's new, given time I sure he'll rule over..
(Adam Britton is my dad)
All in all I like all the intertaining herpers as well as hate them..
Xain.
ps.. I hate the fact I have to retype a word several times to make it correct on these fourms.. Whats with that?