Okay, I am NOT a Michael Jackson fan, but has anyone seen the blurb about the Crocodile Hunter feeding a croc a chicken from one hand whilst holding his one month old son in the other arm?? To me this is just as reckless as when Jackson dangled his baby over the balcony. Yet no one has jumped on the Croc Hunter. I, myself, am appalled at both men. Here's the CNN link complete with picture.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/01/02/crocodile.baby.ap/index.html

By Bobbie on Friday, January 2, 2004 - 11:14 pm:

I have seen footage of him with his daughter (maybe 3 or 4) near the animals too. He probably thinks he has it all under control. No different than someone that has a dog that is known to be dangerous around his/her child. Or the dad that puts his small child on his four wheeler/motor cycle for a ride through the yard. Sometimes people just don't think.....

By Mommyathome on Friday, January 2, 2004 - 11:39 pm:

I seen that tonight. Isn't that awful. I would be scared to death to take a child, let alone a tiny baby near a crocodile. That baby was the same size as a small animal. And, the croc was eating a small animal at the time.

By Kaye on Saturday, January 3, 2004 - 12:52 am:

Maybe this should have been on the debating board..LOL. I have mixed feelings. I would never have my baby that near a croc, but heck I also would be trying to ride them and love on them like he does. Both he and his wife are big into what they do, so it doesn't seem out of character. And I suppose a little like sigfrid and roy, they trust the animals they are with, but you just never know.

By Dawnk777 on Saturday, January 3, 2004 - 02:00 am:

I thought it was crazy myself! I saw it on the news tonight.

By Karen~moderator on Saturday, January 3, 2004 - 09:09 am:

I agree they probably trust the animals, but we all know what *could* happen.

I have to say, I equate that with what Michael Jackson did. Both of them were irresponsible and reckless, to say the least, IMO. And I *used* to be a MJ fan years ago.

By Kate on Saturday, January 3, 2004 - 09:26 am:

Okay now he's being criticized and was investigated. I was just really confused last night when I read the CNN article and it was just a breezy article never mentioning the stupidity of the act. I had expected the outrage from the public that Jackson had received with the baby balcony dangling. I am now appeased, LOL!

By Dana on Saturday, January 3, 2004 - 09:38 am:

I think we need to remember that the crock hunter was brought up in this manner as well. He followed in his fathers steps and now his daughter as well.

I would have to say a really stupid thing to do w/ a child.

But what about those dirt bike enthusiast...particularly professionals who start their 3 year olds riding a dirt bike? I would have to say that knowledge and training and experience does play a part in their choices.

I just picked dirt bike because is it dangerous and bikes are made for tiny ones. No other reason.

By Trisa on Saturday, January 3, 2004 - 11:29 am:

Did you see what he did after he fed the crocs? he was holding the baby and had him on the ground as if the baby were walking. Crocs are fast and in a spit second something bad could have happened. I like his show but that was just plain old stupid!!

By Janet on Saturday, January 3, 2004 - 02:18 pm:

Personally, I think it's pretty irresponsible. But what amazed me more was his wife's comment (reported on WGN Chicago TV) that the experience was really good for the baby, and that he "dug it a lot." Weeelll... whatever. I just hope there aren't any copycats out there that end in tragedy. He is (was?!) a very respected person, and the kids love him! He dropped several notches on my scale, though.

By Bellajoe on Saturday, January 3, 2004 - 02:22 pm:

I agree Janet. I liked him too, but seeing those photos, made him drop several notches on my scale too.
His wife said that the 1 MONTH old baby "dug it alot" when he was pretty much dangled in front of a croc? He may not know the danger but his parents should! That was just one of the dumbest moves i've ever heard of!

By Mrsclark on Saturday, January 3, 2004 - 03:06 pm:

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/content/news/daily/0103irwin.html

This is another article on it. I don't care how much experience you have -- hold your wife in one arm...but NOT A ONE-MONTH OLD BABY!!!!!!!! Anything, absolutely ANYTHING could have happened...then who would giggle, as it says his wife did!

By Dawnk777 on Saturday, January 3, 2004 - 09:04 pm:

How can they even tell if the baby liked it or not? One month old babies don't tell you a whole lot except that they are hungry or have dirty diapers!

By Melanie on Sunday, January 4, 2004 - 11:27 am:

I have always liked the Crocodile Hunter but found what he did completely foolish and irresposible. That is a wild animal and completely unpredictable. Why he would put his child in a situation like that is beyond me.