Irwin backs whale day

Hervey Bay's Paddle Out for Whales is back.

Leighton de Barros

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Whales visiting our coast

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HE'S famous for his work with some of Australia's biggest crocs, his trademark khakis and his undeniable passion for wildlife and now Bob Irwin is branching out to help save one of Australia's largest animal species – whales.

Australia's leading wildlife crusader, Bob Irwin, has joined forces with the organisers of Hervey Bay's Paddle Out for Whales.

Bob will officially open this year's National Whale Day event in Torquay on Saturday, June 25.

Bob's love for Hervey Bay's whales grew after taking his first whale watching trip in 2010 with Paddle Out organiser Vicki Neville. Bob says it was an unforgettable experience that ignited his interest to campaign for our whales.

“All of our ocean's inhabitants have the right to live freely in clean, unpolluted waters. We must do all that we can to protect our oceans and its creatures.”

Bob's organisation The Bob Irwin Wildlife Fund campaigns against many wildlife issues. One of the organisation's most recent campaigns was its fight to save the Fraser Island dingo and raise concerns over the dingo management strategy.

Paddle Out for Whales media volunteer Amanda French says it's a huge deal for the city to involve someone like Bob Irwin.

“To have someone like Bob backing our cause is a huge deal for everyone involved in Paddle Out for Whales. Bob's experience and success with so many wildlife issues is second to none.”