'Problem with their ego': Steve Irwin's dad Bob slams 'idiot' influencers for teasing crocodiles
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA: Renowned environmentalist Bob Irwin has strongly criticized the increasing trend among social media influencers of teasing crocodiles for attention and engagement, and has urged the government to take stricter action by increasing penalties for such behavior. The father of the late Steve Irwin has made a rare public statement amid a long-standing family feud with his daughter-in-law, Terri, and granddaughter, Bindi.
"We will never protect the environment against idiots," Irwin told Yahoo News. After several crocodile attacks in Northern Queensland, Irwin clarified that Australia does not have a "crocodile issue." Instead, he pointed out that the real issue lies in the management of people and their interactions with these animals, and that it is important to address this issue to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
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'Crocodiles and people can coexist easily without a problem'
"The crocodiles are doing exactly what they did millions of years ago and they will continue to do it. What has changed is people's attitude," he said. "One of the worst things that's happened is that social media is now at such a point that people have a problem with their ego and like to interfere with wildlife to make out how brilliant they are." "Crocodiles and people can coexist easily without a problem, provided that people do the right thing and act responsibly."
Influencers will face penalties for risky behavior with crocodiles
Irwin has joined forces with the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) and Traditional Owners to call on the Queensland government to close a legal loophole in the Nature Conservation Act that currently does not penalize individuals for entering crocodile habitats. He hopes that this effort will result in the implementation of tougher penalties for offenders, similar to those enforced to protect dingoes on K'Gari (Fraser Island).
Bob Irwin, who is also the founder of the Australia Zoo, has been living a secluded life away from the public eye for the past 15 years. During this time, he has been estranged from his son's wife and children. According to his friends, Irwin, who is currently 84 years old, has had no communication with his extended family since 2008. This was when he decided to cut ties with Australia Zoo due to concerns that the popular tourist attraction, which he established 38 years ago, was becoming "too commercial" for his liking.