Diary of a Documentary

Monday, October 02, 2006

16. Resting in Peace



The death of Steve Irwin has caused a lot of discussion. Despite the timing being rather irksome it is a discussion that needs to be had. For no less a reason than the reality that sooner or later we are going to need a new Attenborough/Irwin type to fill the void. Apologies to Sir Attenborough who is still alive and kicking, but you get my drift.

Given that Irwin was indeed popular with many, the debate now is do we want the next ‘animal crusader’ to be an Irwin, an Attenborough, or should we take the good bits of both and discard the rest.


I, for one, strongly believe that while Irwin’s enthusiasm did seem to be infectious with the kiddies and a great draw card for his zoo, his approach to handling animals was utterly unacceptable and should never again be promoted.

Indeed, I would like to take a moment of silence to reflect on his death in light of his tragic animal-handling...

As a Zoologist, I would like to reflect on the fact that string-rays, or for that matter the vast majority of animals, do NOT attack others, be they human or other wise, unless they believe themselves to be in grave danger. The reason being, from a biological point of view, that aggression is ‘energetically costly’. Aggression risks injury and injury means the animal is more vulnerable to predators, less likely to secure a mate and of course a fight can lead to death.

Thus, animals are forced to think seriously before getting entangled in a brawl. The easiest method of deciding whether or not to fight is, if one’s opponent is bigger, Run! But animals have evolved far more accurate methods than this of assessing their opponent’s fighting prowess. Adaptations such as long horns, colourful bodies or large barbs are very accurate indicators of an animal’s ability to win a contest. These ornaments are so accurate an indication of who will win the fight that most of the time they are used only as a signaling device, to deter competitors. It is only when opponents are so closely matched in the size of their ornaments that confrontations become aggressive.

The other use for ornaments is to deter predators. But once again, because ornamentation such as a wasp’s sting, or the sting-ray’s barb take lots of time and energy to grow in the first place, it is a rare creature who will risk losing them. Rather, the main purpose of large barbs, horns and antlers is to avoid an attack.

A good example is warning coloration. Species such as wasps with a powerful sting in their tail are often brightly coloured. Predators will, either instinctively, or as the result of experience avoid eating such an animal. This way the wasp keeps its sting, but is still able to ward off predators.

In the case of a sting-ray, not only does it risk injury or death should it engage in a fight, but if it is forced to make use of its poison barb, and survives to tell the tale, it is now minus its only defence mechanism and therefore, highly vulnerable. No sting-ray is particularly eager to loose it very ‘expensive’ and very useful barb so they chose to use it wisely.

Not for one moment am I suggesting that Irwin intended to kill or for that matter even touch the sting-ray. I am suggesting however, that it is highly probable, given its reaction, that the sting-ray perceived otherwise. In the end, Irwin’s intentions are irrelevant. It was his actions that led the sting-ray to lash out in defence. I also suggest that this was not the first time an animal felt threatened by Irwin. As Germaine Greer puts it, “Every creature he brandished at the camera was in distress”. Greer is not alone in her thinking. (see ABC Radio National – click to listen "Aniamls" - Sunday 1st Oct)

What was offensive about Irwin was not his catch cry, “Crikey”, or the Aussie larakin persona it was his treatment of the very creatures he protested his love for. Irwin may have loved to wrestle crocodiles, but I have yet to be convinced that crocodiles love being wrestled. Irwin may have loved to swim with the rays, but clearly the sting-ray did not share his views. In fact, it disliked the event so entirely that it decided to put an end to the encounter and sadly Steve as well.

I am also yet to be convinced that Irwin’s work lead to his fans having a real understanding of conservation. The proof is in the killing. In the days after Irwin's death there was a spate of what seemed to be revenge attacks on sting rays. About 10 were found dead with their tails cut off. One can only conclude that Irwin failed dismally to convey to his fans the importance of respect for animals or make them understand that when you invade an animal’s space they are highly likely to attack, not out of malice, but because the poor creature feels compelled to defend its self.

The spate of ray killings gives the strong impression that the word he did manage to spread was that of interference and intolerance of animals and their needs. His behaviour seemed to encourage the attitude that barging into another creature’s home to do as you please, be that shrieking ‘Crikey’ to the four winds or wrestling a croc, was ok.

Sadly, what Irwin failed to realize was that his behaviour set an example. An example of disrespect for our fellow creatures. An example that humans can use animals for their own pleasure. What he also failed to convey was where you draw the line. Where exactly the wrestle ends, and the hacking off of tails begins? The latter is arguably just a more extreme version of the former.

3 Comments:

At 7:10 PM, Blogger Kat Baulu said...

While I disagree with your position regarding Steve Irwin's contribution, I do appreciate championing animals' rights to space, habitat and fair treatment. The tricky thing is, how do you make people care about the planet and biodiversity when there are more 'important' things taking up their attention? It's a tough job.

 
At 7:11 AM, Blogger Bojun Bjorkman-Chiswell said...

Too true! A very tough job indeed. However, I do believe it is possible. Attenborough did it, Bob Brown is doing it, David Suzuki does it...I just hope the next "Irwin" keeps the passion but quits the pestering :)

 
At 11:37 AM, Blogger Bojun Bjorkman-Chiswell said...

Spoken like a true man of peace!

You are right the world is and always will be full ignorant people, which makes it even more important that influential role models set the highest of examples.

 

Post a Comment

<< Home