You make reasonable points.
My target is typically the philosophy, or the belief system, behind the discussion.
The Steve Irwin belief system is that animals are always right in what they do, and man is usually wrong. I’d say it’s profitable to observe how our beliefs are manipulated, and to reject this manipulation.
I think the best philosophy with regard to this matter is that mankind should accept his exalted status with humility, but not grant moral superiority to animals at our expense.
You and I agree on this...I never got that from Steve Irwin, but I confess I did not watch him much, as I haven’t watched television for decades.
I believe, as the Bible tells us, that Man had dominion over all the creatures. But I also fully appreciate the quote from the famous Temple Grandin, that “Nature is cruel. We don’t have to be.”
We can behave morally and responsibly and should strive to do so without being ruled by it, as Leftists would have us be!