Word is spreading about the search for new talent now that Steve Irwin has been laid to rest. Never mind that he only just was buried, it is a hot topic in the media. Back in the late 1990’s there wasn’t great interest in female hosts but now there will be at least one is scheduled to premiere in the spring. You can check out “Ms. Adventure” Rachel Reenstra here.

There are a multitude of opinions about Irwin, the savvy and sensitive have kept their mouths shut but now the underlying truth underlying the popularity is beginning to be touched upon.

People seem to be startled that Irwin died by an animal attack from a “non-aggressive” animal. The fact remains that anything with a barb, spine, teeth, claws, or other defensive weapons is potentially dangerous. The underlying issue is the dismissal of risks involved with working with any animal.

All the attacks I have witnessed have been the fault of humans, Jack Hanna recently made a comment about 99% as being the fault of humans, so I think we are in alignment. There are many reasons animals will react defensively or aggressively. Ultimately, until we respect animals and teach people how to properly understand and interact (or not attempt to interact as proper animal etiquette dictates) we will still see dog bites, cat scratches, and more daunting interludes with urban wildlife. Injuries from deer, bears, squirrel bites, and other such repercussions of bad behavior toward wildlife show just how naive the masses are to the individuality of creatures and the need to treat them with respect and to use common sense around them.

Ultimately, I hope the loss of the television talent sparks a change away from the reality television to something that prompts people to try another path of entertainment and education. Here are a few more commentaries:

Live is Dangerous So Live Now

Commentary from India

Discovery Search for Signature Talent

How the Queensland Police determined what the stingray’s animal’s behavior was is a mystery to me but what makes me a bit uneasy is that the ownership of the film of Irwin’s demise may be disputed. That is the ultimate in bad behavior in my book. I hope it doesn’t hit the internet but it probably will. How insensitive will that be?

Filmed Death

Ownership of Film Footage

New Star Search

Profiting from Death

Believe it or not there is actually other animal news in the world. Check this beauties out:

Pool Pooches

Service Dog Owner Wins Discrimination Suit

Dog Whisperer Accused of Inhumane Tactics

Canine 911

Well, I just found another commentary related to the sensationalism on animal television. Read another negative article regarding Steve Irwin–these of slants are hugely unpopular but bring up good points.

Personally, I despise reality television and the bad behavior exploitation. If I watch television I prefer educational programs or something that shuts down my brain and engages me.

The popular animal shows never do that for me. I seriously dislike the invasiveness into wild habitat and the encroachment on an animal’s personal space is disturbing, it certainly does not instill respect or teach proper animal etiquette to the masses…

Threats to wildlife are coming from the people want “designer pets” another disturbing trend…
Katrina animals allegedly shot, lawsuits pending. You may remember my mentioning that only about 15% of the lost pet victims from Hurricane Katrina were reunited with their owners over a year after the disaster. Now, it seems that some of the pets people were forced to leave were shot.

When they say, “Don’t feed the bears” there is a reason…