Robert Irwin has paid a heartfelt tribute to his late father, Steve Irwin, reaffirming his lifelong commitment to continuing the wildlife warrior’s legacy.
While captivating audiences in the US on Dancing With The Stars, where he’s widely tipped to take out the title, Robert continues to balance his showbiz success with his passion for conservation.
Taking a break from rehearsals on Tuesday, the 21-year-old turned his focus to the animals closest to his heart – crocodiles.
In a post shared to Instagram, Robert reflected on his early fascination with the reptiles and the vital lessons he learned from his father.
“This is where my love and fascination of crocodiles began… with my dad,” he wrote, alongside a carousel of photos.
“He taught us all to appreciate all animals, even the less cuddly ones.
“These animals play a vital role in the ecosystem and they are in need of our protection as a keystone species.
“Crocodile conservation is at the core of our work together, to keep my dad’s legacy alive.”
Known worldwide as The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin dedicated his life to studying and protecting the species.
By the age of nine, he was already helping capture small problem crocodiles. His passion only grew, leading him to spend months at a time in far north Queensland, relocating crocodiles for the government and developing capture techniques now used around the world.
That same devotion runs through the Irwin family today. Robert, his sister Bindi, and their mother Terri continue Steve’s mission through research, rescue and education.
Terri shared her pride in the comments under Robert’s post, writing that she was grateful to see him continuing his “dad’s mission and message of wildlife conservation.”
“Crocodiles are among our most important apex predators, and your research, rescue and education work with these saurians is so very important,” she added.
Currently in the US, the Irwin family has been supporting Robert as he dazzles on Dancing With The Stars. His most recent routine – a dramatic paso doble to Icky Thump by The White Stripes – earned him near-perfect marks from the judges.
“The thunder from Down Under has unleashed a grandiose paso doble!” judge Bruno Tonioli declared, after the performance scored an impressive 38 out of 40.
One familiar face was missing from the audience, though. Robert’s sister Bindi, herself a former Dancing With The Stars winner, revealed she, her husband Chandler, and their daughter Grace were home sick.
“We’re going to cheer from our living room,” Bindi posted on October 22.
The emotional tribute and powerhouse performance serve as reminders that, even while chasing new dreams, Robert’s heart remains firmly rooted in the legacy his father built.
Images: Instagram
