Bob Irwin's plea to Australians | Gatton Pets | Animal and Dog News in Gatton

Conservationist Bob Irwin.

ICONIC wildlife campaigner Bob Irwin has made an impassioned plea for Australians to “reconnect” with nature, claiming most people have lost their basic respect for the environment and our native animals.

In a rare public statement, the father of late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and founder of Australia Zoo accused government officials of lacking integrity on environmental issues and warned the community risked losing everything if it didn’t soon take a stand.

The comments were contained in a four-minute video filmed for a fundraiser held by the Australian Society For Kangaroos in Sydney last week.

Looking fit and well despite a recent heart attack which stopped him from attending the function in person, the 70-year-old said the nation’s attitude towards the “neglect and cruelty” of native wildlife should be of grave concern to all Australians.

“I know personally, the feelings of frustration and anger and disgust that we all feel at the stupidity and lack of integrity of our governments and the loathing and disgust that we all have for those murderous thugs who commit acts of cruelty,” he said.

“As a nation, we no longer have basic respect for our environment or our special wildlife.

“Our governments are indifferent to the loss of our wildlife and, even worse, condone cruelty within the kangaroo industry and elsewhere.

“Our society has become consumed by greed and apathy.

“Our attitude to neglect and cruelty towards our native wildlife should be of grave concern to all Australians.”

Mr Irwin called on the community to preserve the environment for future generations, warning the consequences of failing to do so would be dire.

“I call on all Australians to reconnect with the environment that supports us so generously; to appreciate the incredibly unique wildlife that we are lucky enough to have in this wonderful country and to stand up and protect what we so often take for granted.”

And he called for pressure to be put on governments to take action.

“I ask you, when you hear of wildlife atrocities and are outraged, please funnel that passion into letters to our government, telling them of such acts and asking them to put a stop to it.

“Only with public pressure will things change.”