Hey Keith, the Kairos Journal had the same reaction you did to the death of Steve Irwin.  Note the KJ-Quick Take below:

Crikey! The Earth Is the Lord’s

The death of the conservationist Steve Irwin is widely reported in the world media.¹ Irwin was a larger than life and controversial character who for many years championed the cause of crocodiles in Australia. Along with his wife Terri he founded “Australia Zoo” in Queensland,² and such was their devotion to the cause of endangered species that they even went in search of crocodiles on their honeymoon.

One aspect of Irwin’s life stands out. He was unashamedly enthusiastic about the wonders of the natural world. Children adored him because he showed them what it might mean to love animals whether great or small. The sight of Irwin wrestling a mammoth crocodile or running in the desert to catch a scorpion was almost guaranteed to implant in children a playful delight in living beings. Tragically there is no indication that Irwin was a Christian, indeed, he and his wife welcomed their children into the world with Buddhist ceremonies. Yet his life is one long rebuke to Christians who take little delight in their Father’s world. If a man could love the creation this much and not know the Creator—how much more should those who love God take delight in the work of His hands?

Footnotes :

1	Paul Tait, “Crocodile Hunter Killed by Stingray,” The Washington Times, September 5, 2006, http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20060905-120419-8737r.htm (accessed September 5, 2006).
2	The Crocodile Hunter Website, www.crocodilehunter.com

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