


The footage of Irwin's final film can in itself be regarded as a necessary part of our education: these animals are dangerous, and fooling around with them can be deadly. Up till now we have witnessed Irwin sporting with crocodiles, poisonous snakes and tarantulas, always emerging unscathed and as lively as ever. Irwin's tragic death can be regarded as a poignant reminder of the fact that this kind of work involves severe risks. He was willing to "tease" or provoke animals so that viewers could see what happens when a crocodile or snake goes into attack mode. While his documentaries were undoubtedly sensational and highly entertaining, his aim was also to enlighten viewers about the animals he interacted with, their behaviour when threatened, and their means of defence.
