Fare thee well, Croc Hunter

Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, died September 4 after he was hit in the chest by a stingray on Batt Reef in Australia. He was 44 years old.

Steve Irwin educated millions through his Discovery Channel show "The Crocodile Hunter" on the animals in the outback, in our own backyard, in countries we've never heard of, and the importance of wildlife conservation. He didn't hold a degree in biology, but he learned through experience and observation and educated the world with his knowledge. He continued to seek knowledge and learn about new creatures and habitats, even venturing into the ocean, a place where he was less confident in his abilities.

While millions mourn his passing, there are some who feel he got what was coming to him. A woman whose name I only know from watching Bridget Jones's Diary, Germaine Greer wrote a commentary in The Guardian on Irwin's death criticizing her fellow Aussie for his brash behavior and improper execution of conservationism; "There was not an animal he was not prepared to manhandle. Every creature he brandished at the camera was in distress. Every snake badgered by Irwin was at a huge disadvantage, with only a single possible reaction to its terrifying situation, which was to strike," she writes. While Irwin was never afraid to come face-to-face with a deadly snake or wrestle a crocodile, he did so in the name of education. True, probably some of it was out of sheer delight for an adrenaline rush to get close to a deadly animal, but if Ms. Greer ever ventured out of her free-loving, female circumcision lobbying boudoir to learn about science and the natural world the way Irwin did, she would understand that in those face-to-face situations, there is nothing but respect for the natural world, not a child-like abandon to taunt a creature. She further argues that Irwin has inspired youths "to become millionaire animal-loving zoo-owners in their turn" as if it were a detriment to society to inspire children to learn more about wildlife and science. If they make it that far, they'll learn what is required of natural scientists. Most biologists, zoologists, veterinarians, and zookeepers will never be millionaires, never even come close to it. They'll struggle to get funding and work thankless hours in the name of science and conservation. If a few of those youths make it that far and pursue discoveries that can be applied to real world problems, like why geckos stick to walls and ceilings and how better adhesives can be produced using this science (hydrogen bonds made with their padded feet--look it up), Steve Irwin's impact on this world would be monumental.

Greer cold-heartedly champions Irwin's unfortunate end: "The animal world has finally taken its revenge on Irwin." In the end, the natural world has it's revenge on all of us; we all die. Some of us die impacting millions while Greer will fade like her literary career and libido. And while I have done my part to pay attention to Greer the way I would pay attention to my three year old godson throwing a tantrum because he has to take a nap, I'll stop and get back to the person who I meant to write about.

Steve Irwin is one of the great heroes of our time. He championed the natural world, the urgency to conserve it, and the importance of science education. He put himself in harms way to teach others the importance of respect for nature. He opened up his life to the world for a greater good, a nobler cause, and a search for the truth that I aspire to achieve. He will be greatly missed. Crikey.