CROCLIST: Steve Irwin Flap Over Croc Safari Plan

[Steve Grenard]

First of all, I am not making any disingenuous comments. I provided an
Australian  press link to the item and I asked for comments.

If you wish to call Grahame Webb an armchair expert, because if you read the
item, that is what you are doing, so be it.

Steve Grenard


  -----Original Message-----
  From: croclist-bounces at lists.gatorhole.com
[mailto:croclist-bounces at lists.gatorhole.com]On Behalf Of Peter Brazaitis
  Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 1:25 PM
  To: croclist at lists.gatorhole.com
  Subject: Re: CROCLIST: Steve Irwin Flap Over Croc Safari Plan


  I'll leave the comment and discussion to the armchair experts who have no
idea of what's really involved with the conservation and management of
either the Florida American alligator or the NT saltwater crocodile
populations.  I recently completed a C. porosus study in the western
Pacific, and the populations and species are not very comparable.

  I never met Steve, nor would I do the things he did, and I don't know what
Steve's comments were.  Perhaps altruistic, to be sure, but to his honor and
credit.  I could easily believe that whatever he said, it flew in the face
of financial investments, commercialization, trade, abusive utilization, and
industry support for research that many of the world's crocodilian experts
benefit from.  Over the years I have testified numerous times as a forensic
specialist on behalf of the US Fish and Wildlife Service in cases involving
the prosecution of contraband trade in crocodilians, hides and products.
Guess what?  The industry guys on the other side never seem to have trouble
finding a "renowned crocodilian biology expert" to testify on their behalf.
Its the "best science money can buy".  Rocking the commercial money boat
often brings with it professional criticism and condemnation.  I am sure
Steve was a conservation pain in the butt.

  Steve made every kid around the world who watches TV aware that even giant
dangerous crocodiles have value and beauty, and possess remarkable
capabilities.  He often risked his life, sometimes a bit foolishly some of
us thought, in the interest of the animals.  Let's give Steve the respect
and credit he is due.  Mr. Grenard's comments are disingenuous, and those of
a livingroom quarterback who should be content with popping another can of
beer and hopefully continuing to watch reruns of Steve's exploits.

  My very deepest sympathies to his family.

  Peter Brazaitis

  Peter Brazaitis
  Forensic Herpetologist
  155 Woodchuck Lane
  Harwinton, CT 06791
  Phone: 860-485-0044
  Fax: 860-485-9527
  E-mail: croc1 at 99main.com

    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Steve Grenard
    To: croclist at list3
    Sent: Monday, September 04, 2006 4:04 PM
    Subject: CROCLIST: Steve Irwin Flap Over Croc Safari Plan


    As recently has last June, Irwin got himself involved in a conservation
controversy, making inaccurate statements to the government and press
concerning the legal hunting of crocodilians in some areas. For a decade or
so, in the U.S., controlled harvests of wild alligators in states like
Florida (with more than a million alligators in the wild) have been
legalized. Right or wrong on whether to allow the hunts or safaris as they
were called, Irwin’s statements were disputed by one of Australia’s top
crocodilian biology experts  ....

    http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1655549.htm

    Comments anyone?



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