Younger Cousteau recalls croc hunter Irwin
By STACY SHELTON
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 10/04/06
Philippe Cousteau, 26, who was on a filming trip with Steve Irwin when he swam too close to a stingray that killed him, did not have a critical word to say about the crocodile hunter during an appearance in metro Atlanta Wednesday.
"I'm trying to move on," the 26-year-old grandson of Jacques Cousteau said of the incident. "He was a great guy. I was really inspired with the work he did with the animals and his conservation work. It was a real pleasure to work with him.
 KIMBERLY SMITH/Staff
Philippe Cousteau chats with Katherine Zierten, 9, as she displays her notebook with pictures she had drawn of sea creatures. Cousteau signed her notebook during his visit to Roswell's High Meadows School |
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Cousteau and Irwin were filming a television series called "Ocean's Deadliest" on the Great Barrier Reef when Irwin swam too close to the stingray. As he swam over the top of the stingray, the stingray's barb went up and into his chest and punctured his heart.
"We wanted people to think something different (about the documentary)," Cousteau said. "But the message of the documentary is all these animals aren't these scary, deadly monsters. They need to be respected. But it's actually humans that are the real deadly predators in the ocean."
Cousteau refused to talk about comments made by his uncle, Jean-Michel Cousteau, that Irwin interfered with animals. He made his remarks about Irwin after he addressed students at High Meadows private school in Roswell.
The school focuses on environmental studies, and during his visit Cousteau toured the school and learned about its recycling program, met its three ponies, three goats, sheep and chickens. |
"Everything you do makes a difference," he told the students.
Cousteau was in town for an event for Captain Planet, Ted Turner's foundation that focuses on environmental issues.
He also visited the Georgia Aquarium. |
