Steve Irwin is such an incredible inspiration for not only those who love and respect animals but also a pure example of qualities necessary in human beings if any real difference is going to be made in relation to improving our Earth. He was passionate about crocs and protecting wildlife as completely as possible (even working to re-educate Crocs using aversive conditioning, allowing them to stay in their native areas without further negative interactions with people - similar to techniques used in US National Parks on bears), he worked directly researching the animals cared for at the Australia Zoo to provide accurate care to endangered species (allowing the zoo to have captive breeding programs leading to release back into the environment) and to provide those animals staying at the zoo to live natural-like lives.
"If we save our wild places, we will ultimately save ourselves" (192) - Steve and Terri.
This book provides readers not only with a better look into the lives of the Crocodile couple but also teaches the readers about passion for wildlife, pursuit of goals (particularly in relation to conservation), and the misunderstandings which plague wildlife and the ways we interact with the animals we meet, at home or while on vacation.
The loss of Steve Irwin was quite literally a loss for the world.
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"I wouldn't want to live in a world where there were no crocodiles. It would be like removing the river's soul" (123).
"If we can't learn to live with such predators, our future is dismal. Imagine Africa without lions, Australis without crocs, the ocean without sharks or dolphins or whales. Who'd want to live there? Not me! So Terri and I push hard - real hard. Every single day of our lives involves wildlife education. We must teach, spread the word, the wildlife gospel. Crocodiles and sharks are only dangerous to those who make the mistake of breaking the ecosystem's rules" (195).
"We don't own the planet Earth, we belong to it" (196).
"If you can't excite people about wildlife, how can you convince them to love, cherish and protect our wildlife and the environment they live in?" (202).