I remember when i first watched Animal Planet about 5-6 years ago, I had the impression that it’s all about Planet’s Funniest Animals and those pets’ shows. I was never a big fan of wild animals documentaries, and that hasn’t changed till now. One show however bucked the trend, that was Crocodile Hunter hosted by this crazy (putting it mildly)Aussie chap called Steve Irwin..

Now Steve is like all wildlife documentaries hosts, he goes into nature to bring to the viewers a closeup look of wild animals in their natural environment. The similarities stop here, he is no David Attenborough, who only narrates from far off and approaches only docile animals. Steve relishes approaching any animal, be it docile or incredibly wild and dangerous. You can expect him to creep up onto a monitor lizard and pounce on it! He will then proceed to show u more about the lizard, before letting it go while saying something like “You go gal”, to sorta of encourage the creature. You would expect him to leap on a saltwater croc with the rest of his zookeepers and haul it up a truck.

He makes good TV that’s for sure. Who doesn’t want to see real action on TV, in times when the googlebox is filled with special effects and computer manipulation to bring u “action”. Steve is so real, so in-your-face, that sometimes we question is he for real… I loved his series, but not so much the later spinoffs where i felt that they were targeted towards a younger and meeker audience. Not so many chances of seeing Steve in action, but his affable nature on TV makes it very ez for viewers and myself to identify with him.

He had his own share of crazy stunts, like while baiting a crocodile with one hand and carrying his little baby on the other.

There was a big hoohaa over this, but he claimed that he was in complete control over the situation. I believe him. This is the very same man who taught his young daughter to handle small snakes and crocs since she was very young. To him, it’s as important a skill as say, swimming.

On 4th Sep 2006, Steve was filming a documentary while diving at the Great Barrier Reef. While taking a break from filming for his own docu, he took time to capture clips for his daughter’s own docu. In the process he and his cameraman inadvertedly agitated a stingray which reacted by swinging its barbed tail. Unluckily, the barbed tail hit Steve directly on his chest and penetrated all the way through to his heart. When brought back onto the boat n later the shore, medical workers tried to revive him but to no avail. He was 44 yrs old.

Steve left this world doing something that he enjoyed the most, getting close up with wild animals. It is through mavericks like him when we really get a closer understanding of wild animals. It is through his antics and actions that attract so many ppl to watch his shows and learn more about wild animals.

Rest in peace, Steve Irwin.