Tragic Environmentalists Who Loved Nature So Much, That They Died For It

Studying wildlife is an important task, but it can be2003. Timothy Treadwell was not trained as a
very dangerous so it must be done carefully. It isscientist but he devoted his life to large, wild bears
important to get the word out about animals and thehe wanted to protect from poaching in the Alaskan
environment, but naturalists walk a fine line wheneverwilderness. For many years, he chose to be flown to
they interact with Mother Nature, as she is highlyremote locations and camp out; documenting his
unpredictable. Being an avid supporter of animalexperiences with bears he came in contact with, far
protection and rights, I have learned a few thingsfrom civilization. Currently, Leonardo DiCaprio is
from watching famous naturalists andworking on a movie, "The Man Who Loved Grizzlies,"
environmentalists take risks, in order to protectwith no release date as of yet, documenting
wildlife and educate the public. This is wonderful, andTreadwell's life. A sadly fascinating film by Werner
should be done, but what is scary is when accidentsHerzog, called "Grizzly Man" explains the mystery
happen, abruptly. Some are more prepared forbehind the deaths of Treadwell, and his girlfriend,
emergencies than others, but even with safeguardsAmy Huguenard. Being too comfortable, reckless and
in place, things can go terribly wrong. The lesson heretrusting of these large carnivores took both their
is look but don't get too close to dangerouslives. Both were eaten by a grizzly bear, as the
creatures, and don't get overly comfortable withcamera rolled (lens cap on), in an area so remote
wildlife. Becoming trusting and comfortable may leadthat there are no roads or humanity for many miles.
to tragedy. For example, take the cases of AustralianHe had no way of connecting with others, nowhere
animal champion, Steve Irwin; and American grizzlyto run, and no big trees to escape to. Previously,
bear Activist, Timothy Treadwell.Treadwell thought he knew the bears well enough to
Steve Irwin, otherwise known as "The Crocodilestop carrying the bear spray that many use for
Hunter"protection. He'd stopped carrying it years before.
All his life, Steve Irwin loved and lived with animals ofTimothy Treadwell took many truly amazing videos
many kinds, growing up with animal-loving parents. Asand photographs up close and personal with the
years went by, his animal handling skills grew and hebears he loved so dearly, and proclaimed that he
became famous for rescuing crocodiles and other wildwould die for them. He was right. Unfortunately his
animals. I watched all his shows, and thought what anoble cause backfired, because he got too familiar
great guy he was, and what a noble cause heand close with them, calling them cute names and
championed. Along with his wife, Terri, he went on totrying to befriend them. In the end, authorities had to
become a superstar in the world of naturalists. Steveshoot bears as they came to recover the remains of
knew what he was doing, and was a true expert inTreadwell and Huguenard. These animals had shown
educating the world about animals, and in animalaggression and were put down for it. Despite such a
handling. He built his family's zoo bigger and moretragic end, Timothy Treadwell brought knowledge of
comfortable for the animals there, using respect andthese bears to the world and wrote a book called
care for each and every animal. He bought a large"Among Grizzlies". His website lives on through friends
yacht, and used it for marine research.and other bear lovers at grizzlypeople.com/
Steve Irwin grew up in the bush and in water. HeIt's important to educate the world, especially children
was at home among nature. This man seemed to beabout animals, and nature but it must be done
a modern day Tarzan, with charisma and a happy,carefully. Watching naturalist, Jeff Corwin's shows on
knowledgeable way of being. Who would ever guessAnimal Planet, as well as reruns of the "Crocodile
that he died in a freak accident in 2006, after beingHunter," I have total respect for naturalists, and their
stabbed in the heart by a huge stingray he wascamera people. Their work is important and kids
filming for his daughter's new TV show. Like that, heeverywhere learn that wild animals are best handled
was gone in a flash. He had taken safety precautions,by experts, and with respect to avoid accidents or
and had his big yacht with waiting emergency staff,mishaps.
there when the incident happened. Terri Irwin likenedFor all those would-be animal advocates, remember
the accident to "running with a pencil," a routinethat wild animals are fascinating and unpredictable.
incident that went horribly wrong. He was rushed toTake proper safety precautions when handling or
the boat, but even they couldn't save him. Even ifjust being around them. My horse trainer told me
with all his knowledge, getting too close to a stingrayonce, that dangerous riding accidents usually don't
( which is usually a docile animal) was enough to puthappen to beginners, they happen when the rider is
it into defense mode, so it lashed out at him. Steve'sexperienced and becomes too familiar or comfortable
legacy goes on, and his family is keeping hiswith their sport. That goes for being a nature
environmental causes and memories alive with theirfilmographer or wild animal expert. There are other
organizations, their zoo and more. The web addresstragic naturalists not focused on here, such as Diane
for their Australia Zoo can be found at au/Fosse, who went to Africa to live among gorillas but
Timothy Treadwell, self-taught crusader for grizzlylost her life to poachers. For those who want to live
bearsremotely and study animals, learn how to anticipate
The sad demise of a devoted bear lover and hisand respond to unforeseen emergencies. It may just
girlfriend came in KatmaiNational Park, up in Alaska, insave your life.