Robert Irwin has opened up about his family heartbreak on The Sunday Project.
The beloved conservationist was a guest host of the show, joining Hamish Macdonald, Georgie and Michael Hing to speak about a spread of topics including the Socceroos bowing out of the FIFA World Cup and the growing mosquito population plaguing many Aussie towns.
And when the subject turned to dementia and the way hard it’s to observe family members still be there physically but not be the identical person mentally anymore, the son of Australian icon Steve Irwin expressed his sadness.
He said he knew all too well in regards to the struggles the disease brings, because it has touched his circle of relatives. Irwin also expressed his hope that a drug to beat the disease will soon be available to victims.
“I feel there’s no-one living who hasn’t encountered someone or has a loved one who has experienced this,” Irwin said.
“I do know my grandfather on my mum’s side had a type of dementia and lots of family friends have had that as well and it’s just, it’s devastating.”
“Someone you’re keen on, someone you’re near you see going through that and just not with the ability to relive and revel in the moments they’d it’s heartbreaking.”
“But I suppose it just reminds you you’ve got to spend every second with the people you’re keen on and really surround yourself with love and lightweight and hopefully that is light at the top of the tunnel for a secure way for people to stop this.”
Irwin also talked about how he’s proud to be continuing his dad’s legacy, including by performing with the Wiggles recently at a gala dinner for Steve Irwin Day, hosted by Rove.
“The Wiggles are only legendary, my dad actually did a very fun collaboration project with them at Australia Zoo way back within the day 20 years ago,” he said.
“So we’ve worked with them for a very long time so the actual fact the entire original Wiggles got here back to support our charity Wildlife Warriors means the world.
“Dad set this up as a technique to support wildlife conservation here in Australia and on the worldwide stage and an evening like that just makes us realise his legacy is alive and thriving and it’s the honour of a lifetime to maintain that going.”
Irwin also revealed probably the most dangerous animal he deals with isn’t what you’d expect.
“That is the thing people don’t understand,” he said.
“Everyone goes ‘it should be so crazy to work with venomous snakes and crocodiles, tigers and all this’, but mosquitoes are answerable for the demise of 700,000 plus people worldwide.
“That is something we actually need to have a look at. From my environmental background you possibly can’t just wipe out one particular animal entirely, that at all times has its ramifications, nevertheless it’s definitely something we want to look into.
“There’s lots of people suffering. Crocodiles are easy, mosquitoes, those things, mate. They attack me. it’s crazy.”
