Steve Irwin Nature Fakery

Texas Star · Mar 10, 2009

A friend who is a Steve Irwin fan is upset with me because I said that I think Irwin used relatively tame snakes from his zoo, and chilled them to retard their reactions. Remember, snakes are cold-blooded.

Has anyone seen an article in which he admitted this? I'm almost sure that I have, and other TV wildlife showmen have done that.

I have Irwin's African snake video, and it was clear that the snakes there scared him. He bothered them, and they went after him, as one might expect!

He also was very cautious with rattlers while filming in the US. He almost had to have drugged or chilled his Aussie snakes.

T-Star

Texas Star · Mar 10, 2009

A friend who is a Steve Irwin fan is upset with me because I said that I think Irwin used relatively tame snakes from his zoo, and chilled them to retard their reactions. Remember, snakes are cold-blooded.

Has anyone seen an article in which he admitted this? I'm almost sure that I have, and other TV wildlife showmen have done that.

I have Irwin's African snake video, and it was clear that the snakes there scared him. He bothered them, and they went after him, as one might expect!

He also was very cautious with rattlers while filming in the US. He almost had to have drugged or chilled his Aussie snakes.

T-Star

wildfiresrozes · Mar 10, 2009

Honestly, does it matter? Tragically,the man is dead, leaving behind a beautiful wife and daughter. He brought joy to many people, young and old. Chilled reptiles or not, he taught whoever would listen about the creatures in question. I mean, if I was educating the masses about a deadly reptile, I think I would want slower ones, too.

Shouldn't criticize the deceased, especially when they were such a positive influence....its just bad juju, imo.

spearcrow · Mar 10, 2009

I personally don't believe this to be true. After his death, there was a special about his life, they used his family and close friends to allow the audience get to know the man behind the cameras. His father provided, I think, the best look at Steve's life, especially growing up. He said that he feared that his son was getting a little to "wild." According to his father, Steve would spend weeks and months at a time in "the bush," without ever coming back. Tracking and trapping snakes and crocs. People in all parts of Australia called him when they had problems with rogue crocs, and he came and trapped them, or caught them bare handed in the water, as we saw often on his show. I don't see why he can't show fear when dealing with a deadly snake in the wild, I don't think that makes him a fake or a phony. That's like saying that a cop is a fake for being afraid when he is being shot at...isn't that a normal human reaction?

Amici · Mar 10, 2009

As most of the species of snakes in Australia are not merely venomous, but deadly, he SHOULD have been afraid of creatures that fast and fatal.

It would have been not just irresponsible, but stupid, to behave otherwise.

dave b · Mar 10, 2009

There was a "behind the scene" show that showed the filming of several episodes. They indeed had the snake in a cooler and got it out for the shot. The snake took off through the film crew and scattered them all in a panic. I was surprised at the number of people in the crew. Must have been 20-30 people and lots of equipment. All the shots in the reg episodes make it look like he was out almost alone.

Farmer17 · Mar 10, 2009

Whether he did or not would probably not change my opinion of him. I think he loved and respected animals and did some very dangerous things with them and probably got bit or hurt more than a few times. It would only make sense to put the odds in your favor and play it safe and at the same time, he was trying to put on a show for the audience and make it exciting and entertaining.

norad45 · Mar 10, 2009

Kinda makes me wonder how many scenes in the old "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom" back in the '70's might have been staged? Nah, old Marlon Perkins would never have tolerated that!

I loved that show.

sipowicz · Mar 10, 2009

I'm sure those giant crocks he wrestled with and sharks he swam with were actually crew members in costume....

BarbC · Mar 10, 2009

Honestly, does it matter? Tragically,the man is dead, leaving behind a beautiful wife and daughter. He brought joy to many people, young and old. Chilled reptiles or not, he taught whoever would listen about the creatures in question. I mean, if I was educating the masses about a deadly reptile, I think I would want slower ones, too.

+1000

Forester · Mar 10, 2009

Originally posted by sipowicz:
I'm sure those giant crocks he wrestled with and sharks he swam with were actually crew members in costume....

You mean like this guy?

BTW, when you google crocodile costume, you get this one for your doggie:

keith44spl · Mar 10, 2009

Originally posted by wildfiresrozes:
....its just bad juju, imo.

+1,

Su Amigo,
Dave

rewster · Mar 10, 2009

Gee whiz ! Snopes has nothing to say about this.

mroyal98 · Mar 10, 2009

Originally posted by wildfiresrozes:
Honestly, does it matter?

Yes, I think it does.

If it is true, then they may have encouraged others to attempt handling snakes in a dangerous manner.

... should be a full disclaimer other than "Don't try this at home"

I'm not targeting Irwin (I still love to watch his shows and will miss him a lot.)

wildfiresrozes · Mar 10, 2009

Originally posted by mroyal98:

Originally posted by wildfiresrozes:
Honestly, does it matter?

Click to expand...

Yes, I think it does.

If it is true, then they may have encouraged others to attempt handling snakes in a dangerous manner.

... should be a full disclaimer other than "Don't try this at home"

I'm not targeting Irwin (I still love to watch his shows and will miss him a lot.)

I think "dont try this at home" pretty much sums it up. Could add, "bc you will die"...I guess even dumbazzes would understand that, and if they don't, how did they manage to even turn the tele on?

rewster · Mar 10, 2009

I think "dont try this at home" pretty much sums it up. Could add, "bc you will die"...I guess even dumbazzes would understand that, and if they don't, how did they manage to even turn the tele on?

Hey, ya'll ! Watch this !!

rimfired · Mar 10, 2009

"If it is true, then they may have encouraged others to attempt handling snakes in a dangerous manner."

That's how the gene pool gets the "stupid" out of it.

spearcrow · Mar 10, 2009

Originally posted by mroyal98:
[
... should be a full disclaimer other than "Don't try this at home"

I can't tell if your serious or not, but I hope not. This reminds me of the woman who sued McDonald's when she burned herself with the coffee, and wasn't told it was hot! Is it really necessary to tell someone not to handle snakes...not to drink coffee like ice tea...not to rub soap in your eyes....not to drink shampoo???

rewster · Mar 10, 2009

not to drink shampoo???

Damn ! I guess it's back to Jack !!

Amici · Mar 10, 2009

Originally posted by spearcrow:This reminds me of the woman who sued McDonald's when she burned herself with the coffee, and wasn't told it was hot! Is it really necessary to tell someone not to handle snakes...not to drink coffee like ice tea...not to rub soap in your eyes....not to drink shampoo???

You obviously know nothing about the facts of the case.

Or hope WE don't.

For those interested in the truth, as opposed to internet mendacities and misconceptions, go here:

http://library.findlaw.com/1999/Nov/1/129862.html

or here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L...nald%27s_Restaurants

or here:

http://www.lectlaw.com/files/cur78.htm

Steve Irwin Nature Fakery

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