Bindi Irwin vows to keep up conservation fight
The eight-year-old daughter of Australia's late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin has vowed to continue her father's conservation work during an emotional presentation to the venerable National Press Club.
Bindi Irwin, following in the footsteps of past speakers Winston Churchill, Indira Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, called on the world to make protecting animals a priority.
"It is very sad that in my lifetime a lot of wildlife could disappear," said Bindi on Saturday, wearing her trademark khaki and pigtails.
"We could lose tigers and gorillas and even my favourite koalas," she said. "We need to help my daddy's work and make this world a perfect place for animals."
Steve Irwin was killed last September when a stingray barb pierced his heart, sparking widespread mourning throughout Australia and the world.
While criticised for his hands-on approach to animals, the TV naturalist was also credited with contributing to the conservation of Australia's wildlife and changing public attitudes towards less popular creatures such as crocodiles.
National Press Club (NPC) organisers called Bindi's appearance a milestone for the 99-year-old organisation.
"I'm sure she is the youngest to address the NPC," club president Jerry Zremski said.
Terri Irwin, who took turns at the lectern with her daughter, broke down when recalling Steve Irwin's bond with Bindi and his three-year-old son, Bob.
"If he could be remembered for one thing, and one thing only, it should be that he was the best Dad," she said.
In the past week the Irwins, who are in the US as part of Tourism Australia's "G'Day USA" promotion, have appeared on US TV talkshows with Dave Letterman, Ellen Degeneres and Larry King.
Bindi's singing and dancing stage show, Bindi and The Crocmen, which debuted in Los Angeles last week, will be performed in New York on Sunday.
While critics have objected to Bindi's exposure to the media spotlight at such an early age, Terri said it was her daughter's own decision to continue her father's work and that she was used to life in the public eye.
"It's like that fishing trip every weekend or going surfing with your dad -- whatever that was special in your family," Terri said.
AFP
