Robert Irwin has named a 3.8 metre saltwater crocodile after Prince William, in honour of their shared dedication to conservation.
Prince William – the reptile version – has become the 300th crocodile tagged as part of a major research project at the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Queensland.
The wildlife conservationist introduced the “big boy” croc on social media.
“This is all for the conservation of crocodiles and over the years we have caught 300 crocs in this groundbreaking study.”
“I’m very proud to say that this big boy right here is the 300th crocodile that we have caught.”
“In gratitude and recognition for the incredible conservation work from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, we wanted to name this extremely special modern-day dinosaur, this amazing animal, after His Royal Highness. So meet Prince William. Here he is.”
The crocodile will be tracked for ten years, providing data on what it eats, how long it can dive for and how climate change affects it.
Robert shared that he used the same techniques that his late dad Steve Irwin used to track and monitor the crocodile, “all to benefit the conservation of this species and its ecosystem.”
The wildlife conservationist is an ambassador for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, the global environmental competition that awards and recognises people and their ideas towards helping save the planet.
In June, the two friends appeared at London Climate Action Week, riding a new zero-emission double-decker bus through the capital city.
Images: Instagram
