CROCLIST: Steve Irwin stuff

[Colin Stevenson]

Sorry, guys.
 
We all have our opinions on Steve Irwin, and all these comments won't change these opinions.
 
Suffice to say his death was a shock, and a bugger of a way to go. Like him, hate him, indifferent to him, he had a huge impact on kids who saw his programs.
 
I think this topic should be rested.Colin


From: sgrenard at si.rr.comTo: croclist at lists.gatorhole.comSubject: RE: CROCLIST: Steve Irwin Flap Over Croc Safari PlanDate: Tue, 5 Sep 2006 15:04:52 -0400



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 BrazaitisSent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 1:25 PMTo: croclist at lists.gatorhole.comSubject: 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 BrazaitisForensic Herpetologist155 Woodchuck LaneHarwinton, CT 06791Phone: 860-485-0044Fax: 860-485-9527E-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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