Getting to root of issue

In 2006, he assisted with the release of four orangutans back into the wild.

The species is still threatened with extinction.

The 73-year-old is the state co-ordinator of the Roots and Shoots program.

It is an international youth-based program that aims to get groups active about people, environment and animals.

‘I firmly believe unless we get the youth of today involved then the world as we know it has no chance,’ Mr Waterer said.

‘In Western Australia we currently have eight schools involved in the program, which is student-driven unlike a lot of programs which are adult-driven.’

He was recently awarded for his outstanding services to the Roots and Shoots organisation over the past four years.

‘My hope for the future is that all humans will step back and look at what we are doing to our planet and the animals in it,’ Mr Waterer said.

‘And take action to preserve the rain forests and animal habitats so that our children, grandchildren and their children will be able to see animals in the wild.’