Australian entertainer probed after feeding crocodile while holding baby

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

BRISBANE, Australia - An investigation has been ordered into an incident in which Australia’s celebrated crocodile hunter Steve Irwin fed a crocodile while holding his baby, Queensland state authorities said on Saturday.


Scores of concerned people rang Queensland state Families Department crisis hotline late Friday after a news bulletin featured a segment showing Irwin feeding dead chicken to the four-metre (13-foot) crocodile while clutching the month-old baby, Bob, in his other arm.

The incident occurred during a packed show at the Irwins’ Australia Zoo reptile park at Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast

More: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2004/January/theworld_January46.xml§ion=theworld



I'm sorry if this is a dupe. I wanted to share the headline.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

1. His sanity should be questioned for sure

Who the hell would put his own child at risk?

[PartyPooper]

2. Steve Irwin is a sicko and an unfit parent in my book.

What "dad" would do this to his child?

:evilfrown:

[Birthmark]

3. I don't think that he's a sicko.

To his mind, there was no danger...and he was probably right. He's been doing this sort of thing for a very long time, so he doesn't see it the same way that you and I see it. Was it a good thing? No. He should have at least realized that public reaction would be negative. But to claim that he is an unfit parent is a wild exaggeration.

[Maddy McCall]

6. And we are judging him by American standards...

Why didn't anyone throw a fit when he handed his very pregnant wife Teri poisonous snakes to hold? He has done that hundreds of times on shows.

I think Birthmark is right. We don't live his lifestyle so we see danger that he obviously doesn't. To him, taking his baby inside that croc pool was no more dangerous than it is for us to take our kids on amusement park rides or even on car rides.

I DO THINK IT WAS A GREAT DANGER for him to do that, and I would never do what he did, but his life and occupation is crocodiles, and he doesn't have the fear of them that we have.

Preparing to get flamed, but I am trying to see it from a point other than our Americentric views.

[PartyPooper]

8. Perception and reality is everything. Just say, I'm an expert with sharks.

So, should I take my child swimming with sharks...with a camera to catch the "drama" whilst I feed the sharks holding my baby in one hand..and, with chum in the other?

In the very least, it's tacky...and, at the worst it's very dangerous!

'Nuff said.

:grr:

[Maddy McCall]

10. Nuff Said?

What does that mean? That yours is the final word on the subject?

Look, I am no Irwin defender.

And if your baby is smart enough to use scuba equipment, then go for it--feed the sharks. /sarcasm

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. I would completely agree if he hadn't been nailed by wild animals

himself. I can appreciate the culture he lives in including the culture of animals but even the best in his business get burned.

[Maddy McCall]

12. NSMA, you know I respect you like crazy--

and again, I think it was a stupid stunt for him to do.

I have been in car accidents--have caused a couple. Would it make me abusive to put my kid in a car with me? I don't see it as dangerous, but someone who doesn't drive who has heard about my driving history might think I am horribly abusive for placing my kiddo in the car with me.

(BTW, knock on wood, I have been commuting for six years, 150 miles/day, and have had no wrecks, so maybe my driving has improved. ;-) )

Again, I am not trying to defend Irwin, but am just saying that his concept of what is dangerous is not the same as ours.

Now, Michael Jackson, on the other hand--he is no expert at dangling over hotel rails, so there is no defense for what he did to "blanket" or "napkin" or whatever his spawn's name is. THAT was indeed criminal.

With as much respect as ever. :-)

[Pithlet]

14. I agree. Hopefully it means he'll never do it again.

I agree with what you said. He and his wife are so immersed in that lifestyle that they lost perspective about the risks involved. Hopefully this will snap them out of it. If it doesn't, then they need to be told that it just isn't an acceptable risk to take.

[Birthmark]

17. Wow, what a good group!

I fully expected to get flamed, too. I went off for awhile and came back to find rational discussion and nary a flame. Good for DUers!

[NJCher]

4. a duo

Steve Irwin/Jacko.


Cher

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

5. He deserves to be probed for that

by a cattle prod! What a jackass!

[DoNotRefill]

7. Hmmmm....

should somebody be probed if they feed their attack pitbull while holding a baby?

[jpgray]

11. These "incidents" are SO damn silly it hurts

If I became famous and wanted some free press, I'd take a baby out in a walker with a huge sinister green bottle marked "poison" next to him, and just wait for the shocked folks to line right up.

[Maddy McCall]

13. LOL!

True, the Crocodile Hunter's popularity has been fading as of late. No doubt this has caused quite a stir and has renewed interest in him, albeit mostly negative.

[jpgray]

15. Well, knowing Irwin, he probably didn't think about publicity

I'd guess his family's natural environment will always involve crocodiles in some way. I wouldn't take my baby near a croc, but then, I know nothing at all about crocodiles. Until a croc actually eats the kid, I'll withold judgment on Irwin. After all, guy still has every finger, right? :)

[Maddy McCall]

16. I'm right there with ya, JP

:-)

[interupt]

18. The Aussie Response

G'day


Irwin Branded a 'Bloody Idiot'
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8310860%255E2,00.html

Irwin hurt by Baby Stunt Outcry
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8311557%255E2,00.html

Irwin Under Investigation
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/01/03/1072908939571.html

Crikey! Steve Irwins baby in a croc shock
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,8307894%255E661,00.html

{Fun Game: Guess the tabloid newspaper :) }

I do have a big issue on this. There is no doubt that Steve Irwin is a professional reptile handler and that he believes that it is in the Australian interest to teach children about the dangers of Australian Fauna (which virtually all snakes and the majority of spiders are poisonous)

However he did the following;
- Advertised that fact that he would be doing this stunt to PROMOTE HIS BUSINESS
- He held his child with one arm, which I believe any professional animal handler or trainer would serious advise to keep both your arms free
- He did invite the media
- He did violate Occupational Health and Safety Laws

In Australia and indeed around the world, you can teach your children about the perils of indiginous wildlife without directly confronting it. (Ive run out of times I have seen spider and reptile displays directly aimed at kiddies at shopping centres)

I admit he is a good (if rather simple) guy, but for him to cry foul and get upset at the media (which he invited duh) and the public for 'ratting' on him does smack of Jacko-ism.

[NoPasaran]

19. It may be okay for the Croc Hunter

But don't try it at home kids.

[Hillsey]

20. I saw an account of this on the news

*whew* some people.

It scared me just to watch it.