Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi there:

Let me tell you how I'd clean a crocodiles cage: put some food in a room, and open the door. When it went in to get the food, I'd close it. Done. but no, Steve Irwin has to make a big show out of it. I wonder how many times each day he snares those poor crocs and ties them up, shouting things like "Oh, isn't she agressive?" when all the poor thing is doing is trying to defend itself. Not only that, but that dope needs to get himself a proper snake hook! A stick won't work very well. And so many of the little kids who watch that show are going to try what he tries. Venomous snakes are nothing to joke around about. They're dangerous, but just want to be left alone.
DAVE

I too find his mannerisms and ways very obnoxious. But I like and respect a LOT of what he currently does and has done in the last 25 years to bring a lot of attention and conservation to the crocodiles and related species. Programs like his were pretty revolutionary in that they educate about the animal as a whole and not just the shock value/deadly aspects of them. I appreciate this new form of programming that brings more facts about the animal to general public attention rather than just how scary or dangerous they are. His show paved the way for many shows like it and for this I am greatful. It creates a more educated public and future generations will as a result have more respect for the animals as important living things crucial to their environment.

But he still needs shock value content to boost ratings (my theory) so he gets in real close and personal with the crocs. People flock to see this risky behavior and as they do they also learn about the animal. Sure he's annoying, but he educates the world and this is a good thing. There is nothing worse than ignorance when it comes to the world's view on dangerous animals. People tend to slaughter what they fear.

Is he obnoxious by crikey? Yes. Do I like what he does? Oh yes. Would I ever want to bring back silly staged shows like "Wild Kingdom" with fully staged and phoney animal encounters? God NO!

Try to ignore the little things. The good that he does FAR outweighs any percieved bad.

>>Hi there:
>>
>> Let me tell you how I'd clean a crocodiles cage: put some food in a room, and open the door. When it went in to get the food, I'd close it. Done. but no, Steve Irwin has to make a big show out of it. I wonder how many times each day he snares those poor crocs and ties them up, shouting things like "Oh, isn't she agressive?" when all the poor thing is doing is trying to defend itself. Not only that, but that dope needs to get himself a proper snake hook! A stick won't work very well. And so many of the little kids who watch that show are going to try what he tries. Venomous snakes are nothing to joke around about. They're dangerous, but just want to be left alone.
>>DAVE
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Believe in yourself and your abilities and you can accomplish anything.

Well put....I couldn't agree more. It is difficult to be all things to all people. No one can and no one will. As for mistakes we all make them. His get publicized and analyzed by public opinion. He has his place and earned in excess of $22 million last year doing what many people dream of doing. There is a place/niche for everyone and finding it is one of the keys to life. He obviously has found his. The number of young lives impacted positively is incalculable... I believe when weighed objectively the pros for Steve far outweigh the cons.

i totally agree that the pros outway the cons about him.
to the original post:
Shows like Jeff Corwins' is were i get a little upset sometimes. How he seems to always cause stress to the stakes by holding them by the head as for Steve Irwin just gently picking them up. And as for him using a stick.. i think its just how he was brought up always with reptiles and isn't into metal rods that could cause the animal to harm itself is it bites it also he uses it to help hold the snake up and away from striking not to restrain its head.

As for Steve Irwin tieing the croc up.. He only does it to move them. And i think it only seems like he does it a lot because thats when theres action to catch on film.

Lastly, as for kids going to try what he does.. I'm 15 and he has done not much else then educate me and further get me interested and involved in herps. Most 'kids' would not come in counter with venomous snakes or crocs.

I think what he has done for the herp and animal world should moreso be recognised then his bad spots(which are few)

sorry for the long post

I don't think it's dumb, but it IS exploitation of animals, concerning his handling methods of crocs and venomous snakes, which leave a lot to be desired, and should not be repeated over and over for others to mimic. See my post above, under "Re: we all have opinions"...

I would like him to be less timid when it comes to talking about conservation, though I know that filmakers think that topic is boring (so they've told me).

I think Jeff Corwin is one of the best out there, he's honest, funny, and doesn't let his ego be center stage, amazingly.

Renee

to me Jeff Corwin tries way to hard to be funny and it takes away from the animals. Steve Irwin give great information about the species and puts alot of excitment into it.

Hi there:

Jeff Corwin is my favorite TV herpetologist. Sure, some of his jokes are corny, but most are funny. But that isn't even my point. Jeff really seems to know his stuff when it comes to reptiles. TI watch his show a lot of the time. He seems to have a scientific side to him, and a wild goofy side as well.

DAVE

When it comes right down to it Dr Brady Barr recieves the most of my respect. Though he may have fewer programs, they seem to be very centered on a specific conservation agenda and the man is 100% professional, hands down.

>>to me Jeff Corwin tries way to hard to be funny and it takes away from the animals. Steve Irwin give great information about the species and puts alot of excitment into it.
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Believe in yourself and your abilities and you can accomplish anything.

Sorry Brian,

I disagree on this one - the fact is these are shows. Designed to educate AND entertain. Brady has zero personality, doesn't communicate well - and acts as if it's his first time catching a croc.

Irwin has changed over the years. If you see his first episodes -before he picked up the safari outfit - The guy was wild - doing dangerous things (risking his own life really, or appearing so) and disseminating information about the species.

That's what got him where he is. THen his show is picked up by a big station - and packaged up like an american cream puff. It's not his fault, he was simply bought out.

It's because of Steve's early tapes that I have zero respect for someone who goes to handle a snake with a hook on TV - safe or NOT. It's TV - not a course in snake handling.

Mr. F

No Problem Mr Fisher,

I think it's cool to disagree without getting all bent out of shape. As far as Brady Barr goes,.. I'm glad that he lacks in personality and that the show isn't about how funny he is, or how cute he can be in front of the camera. I like his professionalism with the animals and lack of self awareness. I think it's great that he approaches each crock like as if it is his first. This is the way to stay safe. I know my $#!% but if I was out in the middle of the jungle I think I would want to approach every croc as if it were my first too. Because every individual croc is slightly different and should be respected as such. I like how while Brady Barr might be very cautious and deliberate in his methods, he never shows outright fear of the animal. Respect, yes, fear, no. And this is what I also find very professional.

When he was on the back of that 16 foot croc with only two other guys to hold it down, and it was biting from side to side and coming incredibly close to biting his legs and arms and he didn't lose his cool,.. I was impressed. The other two guys began to bail and he told them firmly to stay where they were and then he regained control of the croc. Did you see this episode?

Any which way,.. I respect your opinion and views. No one can ever make everyone like them, right?

>>Sorry Brian,
>>
>>I disagree on this one - the fact is these are shows. Designed to educate AND entertain. Brady has zero personality, doesn't communicate well - and acts as if it's his first time catching a croc.
>>
>>Irwin has changed over the years. If you see his first episodes -before he picked up the safari outfit - The guy was wild - doing dangerous things (risking his own life really, or appearing so) and disseminating information about the species.
>>
>>That's what got him where he is. THen his show is picked up by a big station - and packaged up like an american cream puff. It's not his fault, he was simply bought out.
>>
>>It's because of Steve's early tapes that I have zero respect for someone who goes to handle a snake with a hook on TV - safe or NOT. It's TV - not a course in snake handling.
>>
>>Mr. F
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Believe in yourself and your abilities and you can accomplish anything.

I know Brady Barr personally and will honestly say that he is the real deal! He may not be as flashy as some of the others, but his head, and heart, are in the right place. Some of the stunts he does are somewhat Irwinish but, that's ratings pressure.

He was a former HS biology teacher and went back to school to get his degree in herpetology. He did his doctoral dissertation "Food Habits of the American Alligator in the Southern Everglades" by spending his nights out in the glades catching gators, pumping water into their stomachs till they regurgitated into a net and then going back to the lab and analyzing the contents. Not very glamorous but certainly indicative of the dedication he has for the subject. I was fortunate enought to get a copy of this dissertation and have learned a tremendous amount from reading it.

Bill

I never questioned Brady's intent, skills, knowledge, or heart. I'm sure the guy is very knowledgeable and has the best intentions.

However, as I mentioned in my post - we're talking about TV here. These aren't courses and no matter how many shows you watch - no one will give you a certificate to recognize what you learned on TV.

TV is for entertainment, and when it comes to nature shows (not documentaries - Trials of Life was great!), once someone has set the bar in "risking his life" (simulated or real) with the animals, the rest have to keep up.

People seem to be judging Irwin's show on his new Croc bits and his movie. That wasn't his original show or personality. Shock value sells and what he did got people's attention. No matter how good someone's intentions or knowledge is, they have no shine if they don't go over the bar.

NEwayz, this has quickly turned into a rant - so I'll stop.

Mr. F

jeff corwin delivers humor and science in addition to his ego...steve irwin is tarzan. he rarely has anything intelligable to say...but i frequently learn from the jeff corwin experience...and i'm entertained! he seems to have a poetic empathy for animals...steve irwin is all flash...clown shoes.