September 8, 2006

StreetTalk by Carol Rosen

What was your reaction to the death of the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin? What do you see as his legacy?
(Asked at Starbucks on San Felipe and Yerba Buena)

“ I was kind of shocked. He’s always been a big risk taker and he always seemed invincible. I don’t know what his legacy is. He was popular and mellowed out. Everyone copied him, but he was the original. I think he did a lot to increase people’s understanding of animals.”

Jennifer Lising, 17
Evergreen
Senior at Evergreen Valley High


“This is the first time I’ve heard about it. I’m shocked. He taught people about animals.”

Johari Doctolero, 18
Evergreen
Evergreen Valley College


“I was very sad. And then, you think about his family—his two small children and his wife. He was too young and of all the things to die of, a sting ray [it doesn’t seem real]. I think he educated people about animals and the respect he had for those animals. He taught people to respect and understand and appreciate them and the way they live.”

Diane Friedlander, 21
Evergreen
Retired


“I was shocked. His legacy is his documentaries and his courage and his importance in educating people about the lives and dangers of exotic animals."

Mehdi Hasan, 17
Evergreen
Sophomore at UC Irvine


“My cousin told me about it. I didn’t realize how young he was and that he pulled the stinger out himself. He died right though. I thought it was sad and too bad that it was an instant death that came out of nowhere.”

Jacqueline Tran, 20
Evergreen
Evergreen Valley College


“At first I just thought it was some random guy, but then I found out it was him. It is kind of a weird and random way to die, that he has all this background working with exotic animals but dies because of a stingray. I think his legacy is that we should all be careful. Even if you are extremely good at something, it pays to be careful.”

Tina Nguyen, 17
Evergreen
Evergreen College