Latest news with #AustraliaZoo
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Prince William's environmental mission needed 'more than ever' says Robert Irwin
Robert Irwin, the son of iconic environmentalist Steve Irwin, said Prince William's eco mission to help save the planet is needed 'more than ever' as he wishes the future King a happy birthday Prince William's global mission to help save the planet is needed "more than ever before", according to his friend and fellow conservationist Robert Irwin. Following in the footsteps of his late father Steve Irwin, one of the world 's most influential environmentalists in history, Robert has told how the Prince of Wales is 'leading the way' to 'inspire' the next generation of eco-warriors. The 21-year-old Australian, told how William's environmental Earthshot Prize awards - aiming over the next decade to discover and scale innovative planet saving solutions - has brought 'hope' and a sense of 'urgent optimism' to communities around the world threatened by climate change. The two men will this week once again join forces at London Climate Action Week, bringing together some of the world's most prominent climate leaders and environmental innovators, as well as Indigenous Peoples and community leaders whose very existence is in perilous danger. In an exclusive interview with The Mirror, Robert said: "I love being around passionate people, it inspires me. The prince is just that - passionate, curious and thoughtful. I've been fortunate enough to share many great discussions about the things we love about the natural world. And it's clear that he has a profound love for wildlife and wild places." Robert, known around the world for continuing his father's legacy running Australia Zoo and highlighting global conservation efforts with his frequent TV appearances, last year became an ambassador for William's project, helping to spread his message of hope. The Earthshot Prize searches the globe for game-changing innovations to help repair our planet, naming 15 finalists and awarding £1 million to the best five solutions each year to scale and grow. In addition to recognising five winners, the programme also works throughout the year to build public awareness, bring in investment and provide mentorship to all winners and finalists around the world. The two men in November joined park rangers in Cape Town along a sun drenched scenic walk in the shadow of the iconic Table Mountain, to admire the beauty and biodiversity of South Africa. Robert said: 'The Earthshot Prize really stands out as a global mission that leads with a sense of hope. And let's be real, we need hope more than ever before. We also need solutions to the big issues that face our precious planet and the project exemplifies a sense of urgent optimism. 'I have the privilege of carrying on a conservation legacy that my dad and my family created, and that is something very important to me. It makes me feel incredibly excited and hopeful when I get to join forces with like minded causes dedicated to making the world a better place. To be part of an initiative that shares the values of our own charity efforts through Wildlife Warriors is a great honour." Paying tribute to the prince, who turned 43 today, Robert said dad-of-three William's use of his profile aims to 'make the world a better place' . He added: 'He knows that he can put a spotlight on people making a real difference. He takes this responsibility very seriously, and he has a great ability to direct attention to where it needs to be. He is very compassionate and works hard to make sure that his conservation efforts benefit people as much as the environment. 'I am always impressed by his knowledge and dedication and in the conversations I have had with him, I often learn something new. Most importantly though, he truly cares about a healthy planet for our future generations." Speaking about their time in Cape Town for the fourth installment of the awards, Robert said: 'Firstly, getting to spend the week in one of my favourite cities on earth was fantastic. 'For me, speaking with the finalists and learning about what makes them passionate was a real highlight. 'Their connection to their causes are all deeply personal and very inspiring. It was also incredible meeting so many young conservationists and activists, and of course it was wonderful to spend time with the prince. I learn something new about his tireless efforts in conservation each time I have the chance to speak with him." Earthshot - inspired both former US president John F Kennedy's ambitious 'Moonshot' goal of landing a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s - will mark its fifth anniversary later this year in Brazil, with the promise of a stunning week of events in Rio de Janerio. But despite the glamorous location, Robert said the sole objective of the prince's mission and indeed the prize itself, was to highlight those places on earth that require our urgent focus. He said: "We are midway through the Earthshot decade of action and coming to the halfway point, it's clear we need to double down on our mission and focus on fresh action. 'I feel that my generation is primed and ready to create huge change, and we need voices in the environmental space for us to look up to. The Prince is certainly leading the way, and in a time of such rapid change we all must come together to protect what is most important." Royal sources suggest William has plans to take Earthshot to the four corners of the globe, already celebrating the awards in London, Boston in the United States, Singapore, Southeast Asia and Cape Town, South Africa. With the growth of the prize and its global focus, Robert said it was a collective responsibility to get on board. He said: "The future is in our hands. Our generation has the power to protect the beautiful natural world, but we must act with unity and haste. We can't work hard enough to spread this message, and everyone can play their part." Sources say William is considering taking his Earthshot Prize to China despite the country being the biggest CO2 polluter in the world, believing you 'can't exclude a big chunk of the planet when thinking about fighting for its future'. Robert even suggested he would use his friendship with William to lobby for the awards in his home country, adding: 'All four corners of the globe need Earthshot! But of course I'd love to welcome Earthshot to Australia one day." Ahead of catching up with his pal, he wished him happy birthday adding: 'He works tirelessly for the causes he loves so I also hope he takes some time out in nature on this special day."
West Australian
2 days ago
- General
- West Australian
World Giraffe Day: Celebrate at Perth Zoo with the beloved girl gang, baby Zahara, mum Kitoto and aunty Ellie
It will be a girls-only party at Perth Zoo on Saturday as the long-legged ladies strut their stuff on the ninth annual World Giraffe Day. Kitoto, daughter Zahara and Aunty Ellie make up Perth Zoo's giraffe girl gang. The tallest — nine-year-old Ellie — is the daughter of the world's tallest living giraffe, Forest, who lives at Australia Zoo in Queensland. The smaller Kitoto, 15, is the matriarch of the herd, according to Perth Zoo giraffe keeper Rowan Weaver. 'The three girls all have their own individual quirks,' Mr Weaver said. 'Kitoto has been a wonderful mother, having had three calves over the years, including Zahara. 'Ellie is very energetic and always quite curious to investigate what us keepers are doing.' Mr Weaver said three-year-old Zahara was the 'precious' diva of the herd. Giraffe populations in the wild have experienced a 40 per cent decline over the past 30 years and Mr Weaver said Saturday's celebrations raised awareness for the plight of giraffe in the wild. 'Our volunteer docents will run a special giraffe close encounter experience, where visitors can book in and get the chance to stand eye-to-eye with these incredible animals. 'Up-close, you really get a sense of how special, gentle and charismatic they can be, and it's these moments we hope form lifelong memories that encourage people to become passionate about saving wildlife.'
Perth Now
2 days ago
- General
- Perth Now
A day of celebration for Perth Zoo's tallest ladies
It will be a girls-only party at Perth Zoo on Saturday as the long-legged ladies strut their stuff on the ninth annual World Giraffe Day. Kitoto, daughter Zahara and Aunty Ellie make up Perth Zoo's giraffe girl gang. The tallest — nine-year-old Ellie — is the daughter of the world's tallest living giraffe, Forest, who lives at Australia Zoo in Queensland. The smaller Kitoto, 15, is the matriarch of the herd, according to Perth Zoo giraffe keeper Rowan Weaver. Perth Zoo is celebrating International Giraffe Day on Saturday. Pictured are mother and daughter Giraffes Kitoto and Zahara (3) at the zoo. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The West Australian 'The three girls all have their own individual quirks,' Mr Weaver said. 'Kitoto has been a wonderful mother, having had three calves over the years, including Zahara. 'Ellie is very energetic and always quite curious to investigate what us keepers are doing.' Mr Weaver said three-year-old Zahara was the 'precious' diva of the herd. Giraffe populations in the wild have experienced a 40 per cent decline over the past 30 years and Mr Weaver said Saturday's celebrations raised awareness for the plight of giraffe in the wild. Perth Zoo is celebrating International Giraffe Day on Saturday. PIctured is Zahara (3) and her mum Kitoto and aunt Ellie at the zoo Justin Benson-Cooper Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The West Australian 'Our volunteer docents will run a special giraffe close encounter experience, where visitors can book in and get the chance to stand eye-to-eye with these incredible animals. 'Up-close, you really get a sense of how special, gentle and charismatic they can be, and it's these moments we hope form lifelong memories that encourage people to become passionate about saving wildlife.'
ABC News
3 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Eddie the echidna released after surviving swim from Bribie Island to the mainland
A juvenile echidna which is believed to have completed an epic one-kilometre swim in waters off Queensland's Sunshine Coast has been released back into the wild. The female echidna, nicknamed Eddie, was returned to bushland on Wednesday afternoon after spending weeks in care. Eddie captured the imagination of residents after she was found in an exhausted state on a rock wall at Golden Beach last month. The echidna was believed to be the same one spotted a few weeks earlier stranded on the battered tip of Bribie Island where the ocean has broken through in three places since 2022. Eddie was released at Lighthouse Reach, about 5km south of the breakthroughs, with the location selected to give the native animal the best chance of survival. The release was coordinated by Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Board (PPCMB) spokesperson Jen Kettleton-Butler and licensed wildlife carer Sybelle Foxcroft, with support from the Caloundra Coast Guard. "The last time I saw her, she was on her last legs. She is [now] looking fit as a fiddle," Ms Kettleton-Butler said. Caloundra resident Dave Cairns found the echidna lying on its back against a rock wall on May 24. He contacted Ms Kettleton-Butler, who had previously filmed what appeared to be the same echidna during erosion inspections on Bribie Island. The animal was taken to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, where she was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia — a condition linked to water inhalation. Eddie required round-the-clock care in the hospital's intensive care unit, with a spokesperson saying she had "quickly stolen the hearts of everyone here". While it's a rare sight, echidnas are able to swim by using their back feet to paddle and steer themselves and using their tiny snouts like a snorkel. Wildlife experts believe the animal may have been swept off the island by rising tides, or could have entered the water in search of food. Before the rescue, Ms Kettleton-Butler and Ms Foxcroft had conducted dusk searches along the isolated northern spit, concerned for the echidna's safety as the land continued to erode. The echidna was not located at the time, but other wildlife, including reptiles and small marsupials, were observed on the ever-shrinking tip, which is now approximately 400 metres long and 20 metres wide. Coastal scientists monitoring the site have warned the entire tip could be lost over time, along with the reptiles and small marsupials that still inhabit it. "Eddie is our ray of hope," Ms Kettleton-Butler said. The state government recently allocated $20 million for urgent repair works to the island, which also acts as a natural barrier against storm surges for low-lying communities on the mainland. The works will involve pumping approximately 100,000 cubic metres of sand to infill the two most recent breakthroughs triggered by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred earlier this year. An inner sandbank will also be constructed inside the first breakthrough, caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth in 2022. The sandbank is aimed at reducing the wave energy entering the Pumicestone Passage. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said Caloundra residents had been "rightly concerned about community impacts". "We are taking swift action to ensure they are protected," Mr Bleijie said. Ms Kettleton-Butler said it was a "bandaid" ahead of the next storm season. "These are just sacrificial sand dunes. If we get hit by a storm, there's no doubt they'll get washed away," she said. "But the whole idea is that these are the temporary measures that they can implement right now while we design the long-term solution, [which] is going to take a lot of planning, a lot of community consultation, and also a fair bit to get through the approval process."
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Robert Irwin wears a $23,750 Rolex as he makes a very stylish arrival in Sydney after very famous A-list star gifted one to his sister Bindi
Robert Irwin made a very stylish arrival at Sydney Airport on Tuesday. The celebrity conservationist, 21, looked chic in a cream sweater paired with black pants and bright white Nike sneakers. But it was the wildlife warrior's timepiece that really caught the eye, with Robert wearing $23,750 Rolex Deepsea watch on his wrist. The watch may well have been gifted to him by Russell Crowe, who gave a Rolex to his sister Bindi two years ago. Robert flashed a smile as he strolled through the terminal, talking on his smartphone and carrying a black shoulder bag. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Robert Irwin made a very stylish arrival at Sydney Airport on Tuesday and wore a $23,750 Rolex Deepsea watch on his wrist He topped off the stylish look with a black baseball cap and classic aviator sunglasses. Gladiator star Russell, 61, famously gifted his sister Bindi at Rolex back in 2019. In June 2023, the actor played one-off gig with his band Indoor Garden Party at the Irwin family's Australia Zoo. Bindi shared a video of the performance to Instagram, thanking the actor for the concert at the Queensland sanctuary. 'Incredible day @australiazoo. Thank you @russellcrowe, Indoor Garden Party. Music that moves your heart and soul. We love you!' she wrote. In the accompanying video footage, the actor belted out some tunes before addressing the crowd. Russell said that Australia Zoo is 'one of the best places in the world' for punters to get up and close with wildlife. The Oscar-winner is a long-time supporter of Australia Zoo and friend of the Irwins, with his friendship to matriarch Terri sparking decades worth of romance rumours which she has ardently denied. In 2021, Terri thanked the Hollywood star for his donation to Australia Zoo, which resulted in the rescue of an ailing kookaburra called Archie. The year before, he gifted Bindi and her husband Chandler Powell a fig tree as a wedding present. To celebrate his 56th birthday from afar in April 2020, the newlyweds hugged the tree in a sweet Instagram picture, since they couldn't see him in person. In 2021, Terri denied she was dating Russell saying she was 'very very single'. She told Access Hollywood in 2017: 'In all honesty, he (Russell) and Steve became friends many years ago, and after Steve passed, you find out who your true friends are. And Russell has been very loyal as a great friend.' The mother-of-two hasn't dated anyone publicly since her late husband Steve tragically died aged 44 in a freak stingray accident in 2006.
