Wildlife Lovers: Protect Endangered Species!
Wildlife Lovers is the name I've chosen for all who love and cherish nature, its wildlife and the environment. A Wildlife Lover is one who has a passion for the observation and study of nature and shares a spiritual bond with all wildlife.
There have been many great Wildlife Lovers, also known as naturalist. Among the most famous are Charles Darwin, Jean Henri Fabre and James Audubon.
Recently the world lost one of its greatest contemporary Wildlife Lovers, Steve Irwin. He was killed by a Bull stingray, a tragedy which could have been avoided had a dream and vision of mine been realized many years ago.
A large golden silk spider. Three Rivers State Park, Fla. PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2005 BY TAL.
While in Florida studying fireflies I became fascinated with the Golden Silk Spider. This large, colorful spider weaves large webs using silk that is so strong it can ensnare small birds. It occurred to me that it would make a good research project to measure the tensile strength of this silk and see what applications it may have in making protective fabric that might guard naturalist and keep them out of harms way when collecting or studying venomous animals. Also this might be used to protect scuba divers from the stings of jelly fish, stingrays and the stinging barbs of deadly stone fish.
I presented my idea to Dr. Field, a Physics professor and head of the Physics Department at the University of Florida. In my interview and presentation, Dr. Field informed me that he was the brother of Sally Field, the actress, who had starred in such movies as Norma Rae and Absence of Malice. I had wanted Dr. Fields to be a faculty adviser on this project but was not able to do the project because I did not have the financial means. Years later I learned that research based on the silk of Golden Silk Spiders had been used to develop bullet proof, or ballistic nylon vests. Apparently my proposal had not gone unnoticed; the military and law enforcement agencies obviously could use vests made out of ballistic nylon type products, and this product was quickly developed.
However, my original idea of creating a line of Wildlife Lover Gear was never developed. Had this seen the light of day years ago, perhaps Steve Irwin would have been wearing a Wildlife Lover's vest and not have died on that fateful day of September 4, 2006.
I was not altogether surprised to learn of the sudden death on September 4, 2006, of Steve Irwin, naturalist, conservationist and adventurer. His recklessness when handling venomous animals and playing in front of the camera was bound to get him injured or killed eventually. However, my heart goes out to his wife, Terri, her little girl, Bindi, and her infant, Bob. They are now without their loving father and life will surely be more of a struggle now that Steve is gone to that big croc in the sky!
However, wiping the tears the away, as a naturalist with some degree of expertise in animal behavior I must say that if Steve Irwin was close enough to a giant bull stingray to get pierced in the heart with a poisonous barb, then he was swimming too close to these notoriously venomous and deadly creatures, a foolish act done as he had so often done in the past to play to the camera, thrill audiences and market films and programing for the Discovery Channel. I hope they realize the risk he took for them to raise their ratings and increase their shares and compensate his surviving wife and children well.
Irwin was driven by a desire to create sensational nature films and by putting himself in harm's way set a very bad example for those wishing to learn about poisonous animals which should never be handled recklessly or approached too closely without special equipment or protection. This is true regardless of one's expertise or flare for showmanship! Irwin was an exhibitionist, a thrill seeker, who foolishly dangled poisonous snakes and tempted death for the benefit of the camera, giving enthusiastic, adrenaline spiked performances, his final performance being played with a seemingly gentle bull stingray at Batt Reef, off the northeastern coast of Queensland, Australia, which dealt a sudden and deadly blow to the crocodile hunter's life! Pulling the barb from his chest in a reflex action of dismay, he never knew what hit him!
Irwin's death could have been avoided simply by maintaining a respectful distance between himself and the stingray which killed him. He could also have avoided death by wearing a vest made out of ballistic nylon while snorkeling or diving in close vicinity to stingrays. It has been proven that this material can prevent the penetration of a stingray's barb and is often used by fishermen who enjoy wading into the surf or fishing in shallow water where they might accidently step upon a stingray buried in the sand. Such protective material worn around the legs with a stainless steel plate in the sole of one's boot prevents being stung by a stingray while fishing; wearing a ballistic nylon vest while filming in close proximity to giant stingrays would in all probability have prevent a fatal attack by a frightened stingray, such as the one which killed Steve Irwin.
We may admire Steve Irwin and his efforts to educate and inform the general public with regard to wildlife and conservation. But we should not emulate his reckless disregard for venomous animals! Rather, wildlife is best observed and studied from a respectful distance and is best maintained by leaving it alone, not approaching so closely that you get your face in a viper's striking range, an alligators jaws or a stingray's poisonous barb! Certainly infants should not be dangled or paraded inside pens with large, ferocious, hungry crocodiles to thrill audiences, nor should children be taught by example to handle poisonous snakes, reptiles or other venomous creatures. Irving's work in this regard is inappropriate for viewing by children and should not be further broadcast by the Discovery Channel without an appropriate warning!
It may be argued that there are cases when the preservation of animals requires their capture and handling. Yet this can be done in a safe rather than reckless or foolish manner. Steve Irwin was not killed while he was trying to save endangered species by their collection and relocation using a team of trained professionals; he was killed while performing for the camera and making a film swimming in close proximity to a deadly stingray. This was a foolish, reckless, dangerous stunt done for the camera, this being born out by Steve Irwin's death. It was NOT an accident, but the result of miscalculation, improper preparation and failure to fully understand the behavior of the animal being observed and photographed. Steve Irwin was a victim of his own ignorance, his inflated ego and failure to use reasonable precautions when working in close proximity to venomous and deadly marine animals.
Work to protect the environment and to save endangered species, but please, leave wild animals alone! Do not make them into clowns or killers for thrill seeking audiences! If you want to make nature films, let animals be the stars, focus upon the wild creatures and not the foolish, reckless antics of celebrity status seeking film makers! Such presentation teaches a reckless disregard for wildlife and gets people killed!
I have prepared a series of educational and informative designs which I hope will remind people that stingrays are not the gentle, harmless creatures that they seem, but are the specter of death, the doorway to heaven and the great light beyond! These designs are made to remind people to avoid stingrays and keep a respectful distance from these dangerous creatures! If widely distributed and displayed these design items can help prevent painful injury and save lives! Proceeds from this work will be used to maintain this memorial site, related educational and informative sites and properly educate and inform people about the dangers of working with venomous animals, how to properly handle, work with and observe wild animals and their conservation!
I was particularly moved by the interview Barbra Walters did with Terri Irving which was broadcast on September 27, 2006. I was in tears! It was so sad to sense her pain and loss and I was immediately reminded of my own brother, Stephen, and his sudden loss. We are two Terry's who have both lost in tragic and sudden accidents, the love of our lives, one a dearest brother and the other a husband and soul mate! I could not but help cry when Terri cried, her tears reminding me of the pain I felt myself when my own brother was lost suddenly.
This experience reminded me of how much the world might benefit if Wildlife Lover Protective Gear were brought to market. Since the fabric, ballistic nylon, has been developed, it is only a matter of finding investors and those with the desire to help bring this product to the market in a popular designer format as would be the case presenting Stingray Alert or Wildlife Lover designs. Is there anyone who might be in a position to help develop this special line of survival and safety gear?
Investors are needed to help fund the production and development of Wildlife Lover Protective Gear. This will be a special line of clothing and apparel developed to protect naturalists, adventurers, zoo workers, scuba divers and anyone who is actively engaged in studying or working with venomous animals. The items will feature Stingray Alert and other Wildlife Lover designs and be made using ballistic nylon. Hence Wildlife Lover Protective Gear will safeguard the user reducing the risk that they will be bit or stung when working with venomous animals.
Anyone who wishes to help develop WildLife Lover Protective Gear, who can invest capital or other wise in this endeavor should contact Terry Lynch. If you would prefer to make an anonymous contribution in this regard it would be most appreciated. Thank you kindly!
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