Germaine Greer - Greer: 'Irwin's Death Was Animal World's Revenge'

Feminist icon GERMAINE GREER has sensationally blasted naturalist STEVE IRWIN's death an apt "revenge" by the animal world. Irwin died yesterday (04SEP06) after being stung in the chest by a stingray while diving on the Great Barrier Reef. However, the Australian author has little sympathy for his untimely demise, insisting the CROCODILE HUNTER star's cruelty to animals deserved a violent retribution. In a furious essay in British newspaper The Guardian, Greer also dismisses his impact as a conservationist, insisting his TV shows and zoo displays only taught children to "manhandle" animals. Greer fumes, "There was not an animal he was not prepared to manhandle. Every creature he brandished at the camera was in distress. "Every snake badgered by Irwin was at a huge disadvantage, with only a single possible reaction to its terrifying situation, which was to strike. "The animal world has finally taken its revenge on Irwin."