Robert Irwin says his life has been “centred” around legacy and carrying on late-father Steve’s work

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Robert Irwin says his life has been “centred” around legacy and carrying on late-father Steve’s work

Australia Zoo’s Robert Irwin has heaped praise on Perth as shining example in eco-tourism while speaking at a WA summit.

Irwin, the son of the late “crocodile hunter” Steve Irwin, spoke at the World Travel and Tourism Council global summit at Crown Perth on Thursday, where he spoke about his love of the west.

“This is one of the most incredible places in the world. I mean, we all know Australia is just something else, but this spot, I mean, (this is) one of the most remote cities on earth, but they prioritise eco-tourism, so ***** well, mate,” he said

“I just love it here so much. Such a good spot.”

Irwin also outlined his belief that zoos should not be run as tourist attractions, despite his family running the hugely-popular Australia Zoo.

In a passionate question-and-answer session, Irwin, who works at his family’s Australia Zoo in Queensland, spoke of the place zoos and aquariums had in the modern age.

“It’s often this one size fits all, sort of name that’s just pertained to everything. and it often comes with those negative connotations,” he said.

Camera IconRobert Irwin speaks at the tourism summit at Crown Perth. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West ***********

“These days, in my opinion, what a zoo is, what it should be, is a place that is there for the whole sole purpose to facilitate conservation. That is why a zoo should exist. That’s the only reason it should exist.

“Conservation in two ways, conservation in education, and conservation by actually giving back funds on the ground where it matters to reputable and and sustainable conservation projects with the very species that people are seeing that’s where we need to get to.”

Irwin said his family’s philosophy in running the Australia Zoo — which is focused on rehabilitating injured animals — was that the animals came first.

“Australia zoo, our business model is animals first, then our team, and last on the list is guests and people go, you can’t run a tourism operation like that — I mean you guess that that is why they have a zoo,” he said.

“No, it’s not. When someone visits somewhere with beautiful animals, with happy keepers, with a positive environment, where animals are living life to the fullest, and they know they’re giving back to conservation and the animals come first. That’s what gives you a fantastic experience.”

Irwin also spoke about his late father, Steve, who was ******* after being injured by a stingray in 2006.

“It’s something that I think about every single day, and the legacy that each one of us leave, and really the power that every single person has to make change,” he said.

“I often reflect on this incredible, enormous empire of conservation and positivity that my dad and my family created, that I get to continue forth.”

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