Chloe HarrisRobert Irwin, 27, officially confirmed on 23 April 2026 that he will host Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, a new ABC spinoff premiering in the United States on 13 July 2026. The announcement thrilled fans across Australia — and prompted the country's veterinary community to raise a timely point: Australia's wildlife is not going with him.
From Australia Zoo to Hollywood: A Wildlife Legacy Left Behind
The Wildlife Warrior, who was crowned winner of Dancing with the Stars Season 34 with pro partner Witney Carson, built his public persona around an intimate, expert relationship with Australian fauna. His move into US television as a full-time host marks a significant shift away from the hands-on wildlife work that made him a household name.
For most Australians, that wildlife remains very much at home. The country harbours more than 170 venomous species — including the six most venomous land snakes on Earth — as well as paralysis ticks, cane toads, territorial native birds, and large marsupials capable of serious injury. As urban expansion continues pushing residential areas into bushland corridors, encounters between domestic animals and native wildlife are becoming more frequent, not less.
Australian veterinarians are urging pet owners to treat the basics of wildlife encounter preparedness as essential knowledge — not something to figure out in the moment.
Five Wildlife Threats Every Australian Pet Owner Should Know
Eastern brown snake bites. The Eastern brown snake is responsible for more snakebite deaths in Australia than any other species. Dogs and cats disturb them without warning, often in long grass, garden beds, or near water. The critical fact most owners do not know: symptoms may not appear for up to 24 hours. When they do, they progress rapidly — sudden collapse, dilated pupils, blood in urine, involuntary muscle tremors, and respiratory distress. A pet that seems fine after a known encounter still needs immediate veterinary assessment. Waiting for symptoms is waiting too long.
Paralysis ticks. Coastal eastern Australia — from far north Queensland down through New South Wales — has the highest paralysis tick density in the world. Ixodes holocyclus injects a neurotoxin that causes progressive paralysis, typically over three to five days. Owners often miss the early signs: a subtle change in the animal's voice (bark or meow sounds different), wobbling in the back legs, and difficulty swallowing or eating. Paralysis ticks cause thousands of pet deaths every year in Australia, and the progression to full respiratory failure can happen within hours once symptoms are visible.
Cane toad exposure. Across Queensland, the Northern Territory, and parts of New South Wales and Western Australia, cane toads pose a direct chemical threat. Dogs, in particular, will mouth or lick them. Within minutes of contact, the parotoid glands release bufotoxin: excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, bright red gums, and in untreated cases, seizures and cardiac arrhythmia. Immediate action involves flushing the mouth and gums with clean water for ten minutes — not swallowing — and getting to a veterinarian as quickly as possible.
Kangaroo and wallaby encounters. Dogs that chase kangaroos are at serious risk. A large male Eastern grey kangaroo can weigh over 60 kilograms and delivers a powerful two-footed kick that can cause significant internal injury. Many of these injuries are not visible externally — the pet may walk away from the encounter but suffer internal bleeding, organ damage, or herniation. Any dog known to have been kicked by a kangaroo should be assessed by a vet even if it appears mobile and alert.
Magpie scratch injuries. During breeding season — August to November — Australian magpies aggressively defend nesting territory. Cats and small dogs frequently sustain lacerations around the face and neck. The immediate risk is bacterial infection from the bird's claws. These wounds are often underestimated because they appear superficial. Untreated, they can develop into abscesses or spread bacteria through the bloodstream, particularly in older or immunocompromised animals.
The Ten Minutes That Matter Most
The single most common mistake veterinarians see following a wildlife encounter is delay. Owners wait to see whether symptoms develop. They search online for advice. They call a friend. Thirty minutes pass, then an hour.
With snake venom, paralysis tick toxin, and cane toad bufotoxin, time from exposure to irreversible damage is measured in hours, not days.
If you witness or suspect a wildlife encounter involving your pet, these steps should be immediate:
- Keep the animal completely still. Movement accelerates venom and toxin distribution through the lymphatic system. Carry your pet to the car rather than walking them.
- Do not attempt home treatment. No tourniquets, no wound sucking, no online remedies. These approaches delay the only intervention that works: professional veterinary care.
- Note what you can about the animal. Size, colour, and rough location help the vet select the correct antivenin or treatment protocol. Do not attempt to catch or kill the animal.
- Call your vet or emergency animal hospital immediately. Most clinics will assess over the phone and advise on urgency. Have the address of your nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic saved before you ever need it.
- For suspected cane toad contact: flush gums with running water for 10 minutes, then transport immediately.
According to Wildlife Health Australia, rapid intervention is the single biggest determinant of survival outcomes for domestic animals following toxic wildlife encounters. The organisation — Australia's peak national body for wildlife disease surveillance — consistently reports that delayed presentation to veterinary care is a leading factor in preventable animal deaths.
When You Need a Veterinarian, Not the Internet
Robert Irwin grew up with the expertise, the equipment, and the trained team needed to handle wildlife emergencies. Most Australian pet owners have none of these. What they do have access to is qualified veterinary care — including specialists in wildlife-related injuries who understand the specific toxins, bites, and physical trauma common to Australian fauna.
ExpertZoom connects pet owners across Australia with experienced veterinarians available for consultation, including after-hours and urgent advice. Whether you are in suburban Brisbane, coastal New South Wales, or rural South Australia, a qualified expert is available.
If your pet has had any contact with Australian wildlife, do not wait for symptoms to appear. Get an expert opinion now.
This article provides general information only. Wildlife encounter emergencies require immediate professional veterinary assessment. Always contact a qualified vet or emergency animal clinic directly — do not delay treatment based on general guidance.
