Crocodile Hunter died ?!? *single perfect tear*

[Maengelito]

I don't know how anyone could say the man didn't respect the animals he was interacting with. Not once did you ever see him pinning a snake's head down or choking them or stepping on them. He rarely if ever tranquilized any of the crocodiles because it would be more dangerous for the animal. The man rescued crocodiles since he was a child. He cried like a baby on international television when his oldest crocodile died.

He got close to the animals to show that they are not vicious monsters intent on killing or harming people. He showed that even some of the deadliest snakes were perfectly content to hang out once they knew he wasn't trying to harm them. One of his colleagues was saying that they got letters/email from people who said that they'd run over snakes or kill them for no reason before they started watching his show and gaining an appreciation for them.

Was it dangerous? Sure, he always made sure to emphasize that people shouldn't emulate what he does. But he was skilled and experienced with handling the animals, if he were being reckless he wouldn't have made it to 44 years of age.

I guess it rubs me the wrong way because people say the same crap about racers and motorcyclists. Usually people who don't have any idea of what they're talking about.

i'm not saying he disrespected animals or fucked with them to get'em all riled up. quite the opposite as you pointed out. he did bring an appreciation to all sorts of animals that normally most people would be freaked out about being near. thats why he was popular. i dont think he was a retard or an idiot for what he did, but his occupation is riskier than yours or mine. does it surprise me that he was killed by an animal? no, because he was around them so much, especially ones that can be known to be violent. no matter how used to them you are or how much you understand them, you can get complacent or some freak accident can occur. i thought he was awesome, so i am saddened by his death, but i'm not surprised by it