Irwin's interest in conservation is not in question.Undoubtedly...

Irwin's interest in conservation is not in question.

Undoubtedly people enjoyed the larrikin in him and his interaction with animals was entertaining in a thrillseeking sort of way.

But please lets bring a bit of balance to the table.

David Attenborough gave us extroadinary insights into the workings of the natural world.

Steve Irwin provided a bit of populist entertainment and dare I say it - reinforced the cliched "ocker" image to a bemused international audience.

Ooops I think I just fell out of my intellectual closet. Sorry.
:)