Robert Irwin holds back tears talking about Australia’s wildfires as family saves 90,000 animals
While Australia keeps on burning in an unprecedented wildfire crisis, the terrifying toll on wildlife is having a strong impact on animal-lovers and conservationists.
A week ago, ecologists from the University of Sydney expressed their worries that close to half a billion animals – including 8000 koalas – have perished since the infernos started in September.
Throughout the past weekend, around 25,000 more koalas burned to death when the fires spread out to Kangaroo Island, potentially killing entire rare and endangered species groups.
Amid the tragedy, the family of the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin – who died back in 2006 while working on an ocean documentary – has been working 24/7 to help treat a staggering number of animal patients at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.
Steve Irwin’s 16-year-old son Robert showed clear signs of distress as he talked to Sunrise about the emotional severity of the crisis. He said the following:
“It’s definitely an ongoing issue and we’re just trying to do our best to help in any way we can.
But it’s a pretty tough situation. We’re absolutely heartbroken.
Being able to treat and help koalas is few and far between because they’re basically incinerated”
His mother, Terri talked about the horrific impact the wildfires are having on the vulnerable koala population. She said:
“The consideration with koalas is that their instinct is to go up, safety is in the top of the tree, and with a hot fire, eucalyptus trees have so much oil in their leaves they actually ignite and explode. So being able to treat koalas is few and far between because they’re basically incinerated, which is absolutely heartbreaking.
But now is the time we need to look at more than just setting aside habitat. Koalas are classed as vulnerable and I think that after this event we need to really sit down and look at classing them as endangered and protecting our icons, our kangaroos, our koalas.”
"Being able to treat and help koalas is few and far between because they're basically incinerated"
Terri Irwin chats about the devastating impact of Australia's bushfires on our vulnerable koala population.
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Robert continued by detailing the numerous ways in which animals have been harmed by the blazes. He said:
“We’re seeing all kinds of different injuries.
Obviously smoke inhalation and burns are happening frequently, but also animals are going into areas where they’re not supposed to be to escape the horrific conditions.”
This means they’re getting hit by cars and are being attacked by domestic animals, so there’s a horrific knock on effect.”
The Irwin family has treated over 90,000 animals since the crisis started, according to 21-year-old Bindi Irwin.
The creatures include koalas, birds, platypus, possums, and other rare species unique to the continent.
A week ago, Bindi said in an Instagram post:
“With so many devastating fires within Australia, my heart breaks for the people and wildlife who have lost so much. I wanted to let you know that we are SAFE. There are no fires near us @AustraliaZoo or our conservation properties. Our Wildlife Hospital is busier than ever though, having officially treated over 90,000 patients.
My parents dedicated our Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital to my beautiful grandmother. We will continue to honour her by being Wildlife Warriors and saving as many lives as we can.”
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