Bob Irwin's dingo watch

Bob Irwin.

THE plight of the Fraser Island dingo is an emerging priority for Bob Irwin, the renowned conservationist has revealed.

Mr Irwin, father of legendary crocodile hunter Steve, says he is disgusted by the “atrocity” that is the treatment of Fraser Island's dingoes.

He said he could understand why such stringent regulations were in place to limit human contact with the native dogs, but described the laws as “heavy-handed”.

“Nobody should have to walk past an animal that's starving and the Fraser Island dingos are emaciated,” he said.

“I don't like to see any animals disfigured or starving and a solution has to be found.”

Mr Irwin, 70, is recovering from a heart attack last March, an event that prompted him to take stock of his life.

He said his major focus now was promoting environmental conservation and caring for sick and injured wildlife at his home.

For him dingoes are natural scavengers and should be allowed to walk the beaches feeding on fish frames and other waste.

He said feeding stations could be an option but that would only be as a last resort.

“The dingoes didn't create the problem, humans did.

“One thing that also disturbs me is the tagging of the dingoes. It folds their ears over and affects their senses.

“It's a man-made disfigurement.”

He said it was vital the dingoes remained on the island and, if a breeding program was introduced, that it took place there.

“I'm not in favour of animals being removed from their habitat.

“Fraser Island dingoes belong on Fraser Island.”

Mr Irwin was adamant most Australians did not realise how terrible the country's environmental record was.

“We've got to clean up our own back yards before we start telling other countries what is right and wrong,” Bob said.

“I think whaling is abhorrent, but it is very hypocritical for the Australian government to tell the Japanese to stop whaling when in Australia, we support the world's largest wildlife slaughter, the kangaroo industry.

“We need to go back to the earth and start to take responsibility so there is still gorgeous wildlife for future generations.

“Animals have just as many rights as we do.”