Before October slips away, I would like to mention Malibu’s animal activist Timothy Treadwell who passed away in October a few years ago. The death of the alligator man earlier this month was blasted all over the media. However, the methods of these two men were totally different. There are some people who didn’t understand Timothy’s special mission of going to Alaska to help protect the over-hunting of bears. But Timothy was not evasive toward the animals he encountered. There were no wrestles. He did his best to live among the bears without too much interaction and mainly tried to keep the hunters away. He filmed his visits and whenever I view one I can’t help having tears in my eyes.
I viewed the alligator man as entertainment and cringed when I saw how he encountered the animals. I was not one to watch his show! Perhaps, unfortunately, there may be others who will try to become famous by wrestling animals on TV but I hope not! I don’t think anyone can, nor should, try to take over the work that Timothy loved. But I do feel that his memory should be cherished in Malibu. I was lucky to have seen Timothy at the Colony Shopping Center the day before he left for Alaska. After a long chat, I gave him a hug and said that I would see him when he got back. I guess that will have to be some day when I decide to check out the Rainbow Bridge.
Thank you, Timothy, for all you did for the animals.
Alessandra DeClario