Interview:
Steve Irwin "The Crocodile Hunter": 14 June
2004
(Credit:
Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Steve
Irwin in strife over wildlife
PM
Reporter: Kirstin Murray
MARK
COLVIN: Is there any such thing as bad publicity?
Where television's crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin,
is concerned, the answer seems to be, "Crikey,
No!"
Mr
Irwin's last brush with the news media involved his
baby being allegedly at risk from a large croc. This
time it's the wildlife that's alleged to have been
at risk, from Steve Irwin.
The
intrepid television naturalist is accused of breaking
the rules by getting too close to penguins and whales
in Antarctica.
Steve
Irwin says he did nothing wrong, but he's admitted
to PM this afternoon that he does like the attention.
Kirstin
Murray reports.
KIRSTIN
MURRAY: Steve Irwin's in hot water yet again, but
at a zoo in Queensland today, you could hardly tell.
STEVE
IRWIN (to crowd): So thank you one and all for coming
to Australia Zoo where crocs rule! Wahoo!
(cheers
and clapping from crowd)
KIRSTIN
MURRAY: The showman who's made a name for himself
wrestling crocodiles, says he doesn't know what all
the fuss is about. Steve Irwin and his film crew travelled
to Antarctica in February to film this.
STEVE
IRWIN: See those teeth!
KIRSTIN
MURRAY: For the American documentary called Icebreaker.
It
apparently shows him swimming with whales and sliding
with penguins. But how close did he get to the Antarctic
wildlife?
The
law says visitors must stay at least five metres from
seals and penguins, and swimming with whales is banned.
After
public complaints that Steve Irwin breached his permit,
the Federal authorities want to take a closer look.
The
documentary will be aired later in the week, and although
this sort of publicity probably won't hurt his ratings,
Steve Irwin was this afternoon conducting a series
of media interviews and insisting it's all been a
beat up.
STEVE
IRWIN: Oh, total beat up, mate. Like I'm tobogganing
over there, the penguin's over there, what's the big
deal? I mean, I don't know what they're goin' on about
there, I really don't. I don't understand that one
at all
KIRSTIN
MURRAY: What about
STEVE
IRWIN:
but that is a total storm in a teacup.
KIRSTIN
MURRAY: What about claims you're touching whales?
STEVE
IRWIN: That's, that's not true, that's false, that
is absolutely tru
that is just not on. Um, I'm
sitting on an iceberg, bobbin' around out in the middle
of the ocean and the whales, I'm in their environment
mate, and they're goin' around me, and um, as the
international whaling convention's general principal
states, they do what they want and they leave when
they want.
How's
this? The whales, I got back on board, because I'm
starting to go into hypothermia because I've got so
much water in my supposed dry suit, I'm startin' to
die, so I get back on the boat, and the whales just
kept comin' round, it's all there, it's on the vision.
KIRSTIN
MURRAY: How confident are you that you didn't break
the rules? You're facing a $1-million fine and two
years gaol.
STEVE
IRWIN: Yep.
KIRSTIN
MURRAY: Are you worried you might be charged?
STEVE
IRWIN: Not even slightly mate, no, I'm not even remotely
worried. There was an investigation took place a couple
of weeks ago, um
KIRSTIN
MURRAY: Who was that investigation by?
STEVE
IRWIN: Ah, the environmental
police, I don't
know, I'm, I'm not, sorry, I don't know what their
names are, but there was an investigation took place
ah, a couple of weeks ago before I went to America,
and they went to John Stainton and Judi Bailey, of
Best Picture Show Company, and they looked at the
vision that we filmed of the whales down in Antarctica,
and they said everything's okay.
KIRSTIN
MURRAY: The Department of Environment is concerned.
They've asked for a copy of the tape, so obviously
they haven't seen this clearance.
STEVE
IRWIN: Yeah
I don't know mate, I got home from
America yesterday afternoon, I was sittin' at the
boat ramp, I got a call, hey Stevo, you're on the
news again, so I came home. So I really don't know
what's goin' on in Canberra, and I'm not sure if they
do.
KIRSTIN
MURRAY: Critics might argue that not only is it good
for the cause you're fighting for, but also good for
sales. What would you say to that?
STEVE
IRWIN: Oh, sales snails, I'm not sure about sales.
All
I know is um, ah, Greenpeace, World Wildlife Fund,
Steve Irwin, Jacques Cousteau, Sir David Attenborough,
mate, we are the people that are filming the whales,
taking it to you so as you understand the beauty of
the animals. If we can get 'em into your hearts, then
we may be able to stop whaling. But believe me, the
whaling people don't like me.
MARK
COLVIN: Steve Irwin speaking to Kirstin Murray.
Websites
Media
ABC
Radio National: PM
Media
Man Australia - Steve Irwin
Links
Australia
Zoo
Profiles
The
Crocodile Hunters
Publicity
Stunt!
Articles
Crocodile
Hunter biting employees?
Animal
acts, by Stephanie Peatling - 19th June 2004
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