Robert Irwin has opened up about his family’s heartbreak The Sunday project.
The esteemed conservationist guest hosted the show, joining Hamish Macdonald, Georgie and Michael Hing to discuss a range of topics including the Socceroos pulling out of the FIFA World Cup and the growing mosquito population plaguing many Australian cities.
And when the topic turned to dementia and how difficult it is to see loved ones still there physically but no longer the same person mentally, the son of Australian icon Steve Irwin expressed his sadness.
He said he knows all too well the struggles that come with the disease, as it has touched his own family. Irwin also expressed his hope that a drug to combat the disease will soon be available to sufferers.
“I don’t think there’s anyone who hasn’t encountered someone or has a loved one who has experienced this,” Irwin said.
“I know my grandfather on my mother’s side had a form of dementia and a lot of family friends have too and it’s devastating.
“You see someone you love, someone you’re close to go through this and not be able to relive and enjoy the moments they experienced is heartbreaking.
“But I guess it just reminds you to spend every second with the people you love and really surround yourself with love and light and hopefully this is light at the end of the tunnel for a safe way for people to stop it.”
Irwin also spoke about how proud he is to carry on his father’s legacy, including recently performing with the Wiggles at a Steve Irwin Day gala hosted by Rove.
“The Wiggles are legendary, my dad did a really fun collaborative project with them at Australia Zoo 20 years ago,” he said.
“So we’ve worked with them for a long time, so the fact that all the original Wiggles came back to support our charity Wildlife Warriors means the world.
“Dad created this as a way to support wildlife conservation here in Australia and on the world stage and a night like this just makes us realize that his legacy is alive and well and it’s the honor for the rest of my life to keep it.”
Irwin also revealed that the most dangerous animal he deals with isn’t what you’d expect.
“That’s what people don’t understand,” he said.
“Everyone says ‘it must be crazy to work with poisonous snakes and crocodiles and tigers and all that,’ but mosquitoes are responsible for the deaths of more than 700,000 people worldwide.
“That’s something we really need to look at. From my environmental background, you can’t just kill a particular animal, that always has ramifications, but it’s definitely something we need to look into.
“There are many people who suffer. Crocodiles are easy, mosquitoes, that stuff, mate. they attack me it’s crazy.”