Clay Davenport
Cerebral Nomad
HOMER GLEN — The man known as the "Crocodile Hunter" had quite a connection to the Southland. It came in the form of a 225-pound, 8½-foot-long alligator named Bubba.
After a 2002 meeting with the reptile that lived in a Homer Glen basement, Steve Irwin put his arm around Bubba's owner and trainer, Jim Nesci, and said his trademark word, "Crikey!" followed by, "How did you train the bloke?"
Bubba was so well-behaved, he would sit on Nesci's lap, and the 17-year-old reptile would give rides to hospitalized children during Make-A-Wish visits.
Nesci fondly remembers his time with Irwin, 44, who died Monday after his heart was pierced by a stingray spine.
"Steve Irwin had a gift; he had a great gift," Nesci said. "He was able to get his message out, and I think animals knew that he was a warrior for them.
"
Television appearances
Nesci and Irwin began working together in 2002 when Irwin contacted Nesci about bringing Bubba on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to help promote the Australian's movie, "Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course."
Irwin liked to have live animals around when he talked about his movie, Nesci said, and he enjoyed showing people how Bubba could sit or get up and walk when asked.
Bubba, who died last year of a urinary tract infection, also accompanied Irwin on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Live with Regis and Kelly."
"(Bubba) was just as gentle as can be," Nesci said. "It meant stars could work with and close to him without any worry of him being aggressive."
Nesci and Irwin shared more than a connection to Bubba — they had a common goal of conservation through education.
Nesci does hands-on programs at schools, birthday parties and wedding receptions — just about any place where he can teach people about reptiles.
On his 2½-acre Homer Glen residence, he reintroduces indigenous animals — such as bats and snakes — into the environment.
An unmatched legacy
The last time Nesci saw Irwin was in 2003. When he heard about his death Monday, he said he and his wife cried.
"I think his legacy will be unmatched," Nesci said. "Nobody will be able to do what Steve has been able to do."
That includes having a charm that attracted millions to his documentaries and TV shows, offering a glimpse into the sometimes feared world of reptiles, and a heart that pumped millions of dollars into awareness projects and the Australia Zoo.
"His enthusiasm was contagious," Nesci said. "You were just so taken back by his energy. He loved what he did, and oh, my God, he loved his family so much."
What Nesci didn't like that sometimes followed Irwin was the public perception that he was "on the edge."
"There is danger in every element of life," Nesci said. "Living is dangerous. ... Steve Irwin lived his life the way he wanted to live his life. How many people can say they did what they wanted to do? And how many people are able to touch the amount of people Steve Irwin was able to touch?"
Link
After a 2002 meeting with the reptile that lived in a Homer Glen basement, Steve Irwin put his arm around Bubba's owner and trainer, Jim Nesci, and said his trademark word, "Crikey!" followed by, "How did you train the bloke?"
Bubba was so well-behaved, he would sit on Nesci's lap, and the 17-year-old reptile would give rides to hospitalized children during Make-A-Wish visits.
Nesci fondly remembers his time with Irwin, 44, who died Monday after his heart was pierced by a stingray spine.
"Steve Irwin had a gift; he had a great gift," Nesci said. "He was able to get his message out, and I think animals knew that he was a warrior for them.
"
Television appearances
Nesci and Irwin began working together in 2002 when Irwin contacted Nesci about bringing Bubba on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to help promote the Australian's movie, "Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course."
Irwin liked to have live animals around when he talked about his movie, Nesci said, and he enjoyed showing people how Bubba could sit or get up and walk when asked.
Bubba, who died last year of a urinary tract infection, also accompanied Irwin on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Live with Regis and Kelly."
"(Bubba) was just as gentle as can be," Nesci said. "It meant stars could work with and close to him without any worry of him being aggressive."
Nesci and Irwin shared more than a connection to Bubba — they had a common goal of conservation through education.
Nesci does hands-on programs at schools, birthday parties and wedding receptions — just about any place where he can teach people about reptiles.
On his 2½-acre Homer Glen residence, he reintroduces indigenous animals — such as bats and snakes — into the environment.
An unmatched legacy
The last time Nesci saw Irwin was in 2003. When he heard about his death Monday, he said he and his wife cried.
"I think his legacy will be unmatched," Nesci said. "Nobody will be able to do what Steve has been able to do."
That includes having a charm that attracted millions to his documentaries and TV shows, offering a glimpse into the sometimes feared world of reptiles, and a heart that pumped millions of dollars into awareness projects and the Australia Zoo.
"His enthusiasm was contagious," Nesci said. "You were just so taken back by his energy. He loved what he did, and oh, my God, he loved his family so much."
What Nesci didn't like that sometimes followed Irwin was the public perception that he was "on the edge."
"There is danger in every element of life," Nesci said. "Living is dangerous. ... Steve Irwin lived his life the way he wanted to live his life. How many people can say they did what they wanted to do? And how many people are able to touch the amount of people Steve Irwin was able to touch?"
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