Irwin a Mentor to Local Reptile Lover
The Olds Albertan, Sept. 12 2006 Kim Dick

Crocodile Hunter died doing what he loved best

                                                                1962 - 2006

 

                                                                                          

   

When it comes to larger then life wildlife conservationists, Steve Irwin quickly comes to mind.

Forty - four -year old Irwin, was killed by a stingray on Sept. 4 while shooting an underwater documentary in Australia's Great Barrier Reef, was both loved and hated by people all over the world for his work with reptiles and wildlife.

Dean Harper who runs Wrappin About Reptiles, an educational reptile show that tours around western Canada, says that he and Irwin shared the same passion.

"A great deal of why I am doing what I am doing is because of the crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, " said Harper. " The awareness he brought to reptiles and all wildlife, it was phenomenal."

Harper said that to him Irwin was larger then life, a guy who was as entertaining as he was educating.

"Whether you tuned into his show to see if a crocodile was going to get him or to see how many snakes bit him that day, the point was you were learning something," said Harper. " He was entertaining but you were still learning."

Harper said that Irwin's passions exceeded other wildlife greats such as Jack Hanna.

His shows, which included the Crocodile Hunter, Croc files along with a feature length film and numerous appearances on talk shows and television specials established him as one of the most influential wildlife conservationists in the world.

Harper said that "Crickey" is an expression that is recognized worldwide from the last generation of kids growing up watching the Crocodile Hunter in action.

"Kids from the last ten years, people have grown up watching this man, from his various shows, whether it was the Crocodile Hunter, the Croc Files, his NBC specials, there was just so much he did," said Harper. "The man you saw is the man he was, he never turned it on for the camera."

Although Harper had never met or shook hands with Irwin, he said he considers the Crocodile Hunter a mentor and a friend.

Harper said that it was hard for people to match his passion and he hopes to see his kids Bindi and Robert carry on their father's legacy.

"Steve was his parents' legacy. He grew up wrangling crocodiles with his dad, and his mom and dad owned the wildlife park," said Harper. "I definitely want to see his kids growing up with his legacy and taking that farther."

Harper says his own kids don't have to grow up to be animal wranglers and educational speakers, but he knows they will have a deep appreciation for animals and reptiles from all walks of life.

"I am not expecting my children to want to do what I do, but I know as they are growing up they have an appreciation for all wildlife," said Harper, and he thinks Irwin's Kids have grown up surrounded by the same passion.

As to what Harper feels about the untimely death of Steve Irwin he told the Albertan that the crocodile Hunter died do what he loved best.

"I have had so many people ask me, what do you think about what happened with Steve. I think it's a horrible tragedy, because of the impact this man had.... I really hope that people continue to be conscious about their impact on the environment," said Harper. " Yes he died by one of the most innocent sea creatures there is, but you know what he probably went with a huge smile on his face, because that was what he loved."

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