I am deeply saddened by this man's death. Unfortunately, Mr. Irwin was what I consider to be a danger junkie. He was very very good at what he did. However, sooner or later, danger wins, and it only has to win once. May he rest in peace.
Well what, really, is the difference between Steve Irwin and Timothy Treadwell?
Basically that the latter had a deep - if childish and misguided - wonder at the variety and power of nature and a determination to be an intimate part of it, while the former had a deep - if childish an misguided - fascination with the variety and the power of nature, and a determination to put himself above it.
Perhaps... but there's no denying that TV producers like to amp-up the danger factor to sell the program. I would think that Steve Irwin took all reasonable precautions (many of which were probably just off-camera).