'Crikey,' Steve Irwin's baby in croc shocker -

Herald Sun - Australia ^ | January 3, 2003 | Christine Caulfield

[UnklGene]

'Crikey,' Steve Irwin's baby in a croc shocker -

Christine Caulfield - 03jan04

STEVE Irwin sparked outrage yesterday when he held his baby son a metre from the mouth of a crocodile at his Queensland zoo.

Child advocates branded the Crocodile Hunter reckless for holding one-month-old Bob while feeding the giant crocodile a dead chicken. Wife Terri looked on as Irwin then "walked" Bob to the crocodile pool at his Sunshine Coast wildlife park as the 4m reptile, named Murray, lurked nearby.

Irwin defended the stunt, saying the baby was never in danger.

"This kid has to grow up to be croc savvy," he told the Herald Sun.

"I guess what I am doing is teaching him to be completely familiar with crocodiles . . . There's no way known I would ever endanger my child."

But Irwin -- recently named Queenslander of the year -- now faces possible investigation by Queensland police, the Department of Families, and workplace safety officers.

The stunt was slammed by child support groups and likened to the furore caused by pop star Michael Jackson when he dangled his newborn baby over a balcony at a hotel in Germany in 2002.

Childhood Foundation chief Joe Tucci described Irwin's actions as outrageous.

"It's neglect, it's reckless, it's a form of endangerment," he said.

"I don't think we should use children as props, and definitely not in situations that are going to put them in such danger."

Mr Tucci said Irwin could faces criminal charges if he continued to put his baby in harm's way.

"He wasn't thinking about the risks to his child. Children need adults to protect them. They should not be involved in any kind of entertainment that puts them at risk," he said.

"Kids under five are unpredictable. It's only one small slip away from a bad accident. He can make his own choices, but his child can't."

Australian Family Association spokesman Bill Muehlenberg said Irwin's conduct was tantamount to child abuse.

Mr Muehlenberg said Irwin had no right to put his baby in peril.

"Most parents would cringe at the sight of such things. One slip, one fall and he is the crocodile's lunch," he said.

Yesterday's show, for the public and the media, was billed as Bob's "croc-feeding debut".

"Good boy, Bob," Irwin said as Murray's jaws snapped shut on the food.

"He's one month old, so it's about time Bob got out there and did his first croc demo," Irwin told the excited crowd.

Irwin later told the Herald Sun: "If I had known it was going to cause a ruckus I would have thrown them (the media) out by their ears.

"I was in complete control of the crocodile. Robert was tucked right in my arm. It is far more dangerous to pack your kid up and go out on the road."

Irwin's wife Terri backed Bob's place in the show.

"When I put him back in the pram he had big eyes and he was smiling and it was a wonderful sensory experience for him. He dug it," she said.

Queensland Families Minister Judy Spence said she would request the unedited video tapes of the incident.

"I have seen the television footage and while I have no doubt the Irwins love their children very much, I believe it was an error of judgment to place a baby in a potentially dangerous situation," Ms Spence said.

"The department is interested in examining all of the information including a copy of the unedited video and the safety precautions and protocols Mr Irwin was following."

Queensland Police confirmed last night they had received complaints from the public about the incident.

[Politicalmom]

Oh, a one month old's immune system should be able to take that bacteria......(rolling eyes)

[LisaMalia]

This may be a bit of a stretch, but I'm sure you get my point.

Don't really "get" your point, just hope you don't take that attitude with YOUR children, if you have any.

[najida]

There is a picture of me at 2 standing in my Sunday dress...
in the pig pen,
ankle deep in guck...
hugging a pig.

And that wasn't the first time.

[Gunslingr3]

"This kid has to grow up to be croc savvy,"

Nerfworld ping...

[what's up]

I wasn't asking you if you got my point.

[GerleGirl]

Maybe you haven't seen the video, if you watch it he was not dangling the baby IN FRONT of the crocodile the baby was on his side away from the "vicious creature meant to eat his newborn", he was dangling a piece of CHICKEN for it to eat. The crocodile was no more interested in the baby than in the tree on the other side of the enclosure. If it was going to gobble something up it would have been Steve. As far as putting a child in danger I suppose you would have to alert Child Protective Services for every parent in the world, considering putting your child in a car is probably the most dangerous thing you could ever do in terms of putting your child unknowingly in danger. If you believe he was purposely putting his baby in harms way I can see your complaint, but he is a professional with multiple people on his staff backing him up. Do you have a professional staff in the backseat backing you up everytime you drive??? He doesn't even put his camera men in danger let alone his own flesh and blood. And by the way, where in the hell was all of the outcry and support for his children when Bindi his daughter was doing the same thing years ago yet somehow she survived, no scratches, no nicks, no loss of appendages, no mental defects. A miracle! This has only come about since the Michael Jackson incident. If you are going to be a supporter and advocate for children do it 365 days a year 24X7 not just when it happens to be convenient or a public celebrity issue.

[AlanSC]

If it only came down to two choices, I would trust my baby with Steve Irwin and a croc any day of the week vs an overnight stay or balcony display with the Jacko freak.

[Hildy]

It was a stupid mistake. If they go after him, then this world is upside down.

[Vicki]

I can't believe it! His wife said she was comfortable with him holding the baby while feeding the croc.

He said he had complete control of the croc. No one ever has complete control over an animal. What an idiot!

[LisaMalia]

You know, I just don't understand the mindset of some people. They see getting upset with seeing a baby being put in such blatant harms way, as being intrusive on a lifestyle or something!
Just another day in this crazy, mixed up world we live in anymore.

[sweetliberty]

Irwin Takes Baby to Crocodile Feeding

There are some pretty rational comments on that thread....though there are certainly some irrational ones as well.

[what's up]

The fruit loops are out today.

[vetvetdoug]

That baby (Steve Irwin's Son) was infinitely more safe than a passenger in a car driven by Ted Kennedy. I don't think Steve did anything wrong. I have treated animals but my kid is between me and whatever animal is under treatment.

On a lighter note, doesn't anyone remember Amos Moses of Thibideaux, Louisiana? His daddy used him for gator bait and had only one arm and the other just went to the elbow.

[sweetliberty]

"However, yes, there is the outside chance an unforeseen event could take place...I grant you that."

There's an outside chance that you could get hit by a bus next time you cross the street too. While I don't think this was the brightest move he could have made, I think it's much ado about nothing. The zoo is their life. The zoo's daily routine has been a part of their daughter's life since she was born too. I am quite certain that this particular croc was chosen because Steve was very familiar with him and his habits. I just don't think that he believed that he was putting the child in danger in any way. And in the picture, it is plain that there is someone else very close at hand (perhaps Terri). He has his own body between himself and the baby as well.

[najida]

There is also the issue that the croc may not have been that hungry (looks kinda pudgy to me). And he maybe a very sluggish mover.

I don't see what the fuss is about myself. Lots of farm kids are put through worse ;).

[sweetliberty]

What I find so frustrating is that some of them are the very people who claim to want government out of the lives of families, and yet are the first to holler "child abuse," at the first sign of a parent doing something they themselves do not understand and wouldn't do themselves. From everything I've seen and read about the Irwins, they are totally devoted parents and wouldn't dream of doing anything to endanger their children.

[FReepaholic]

Well said!

[sweetliberty]

"Or, it could be because he dangled his newborn baby IN FRONT OF A CROCODILE!!!!!!!"

He did NOT dangle the baby in front of the crocodile. At least stick with the facts.

.

[what's up]

Irwin's body is staunchly between the baby and the croc, contrary to those freepers who say the baby is being "dangled" before the croc.

Let's put it this way....if there's anyone's arms I'd want to be in if I was a few feet from a croc, it's Irwin's.

Yes, it's not the brightest PR move he's made and I feel sorry for him for the firestorm he's about to go through...such are the times.

[Callahan]

Here's a pic. However "safe" this stunt was in terms of risk management, I don't think we should be encouraging people to use their infants as publicity props.