Steve Irwin, the legendary “Crocodile Hunter,” may be gone, but his spirit lives on in his family, especially his kids, who followed in his footsteps. His son, Robert Irwin, turned 16 on December 1st and celebrated by feeding crocs with the visitors at Australia Zoo. He got a lot of birthday wishes from his fans and friends. But the most touching ones came from his family.
Robert’s mom, Terri, posted a sweet message on Twitter with a photo of Steve holding baby Robert. She said how proud Steve would be of his son and how much he loved him. She also shared some rare photos of Robert’s childhood, showing his bond with animals from day one.
Just before Robert Irwin’s birthday, his mother Terri posted a touching message on Twitter
She also shared some unseen snaps from the family archives
Terri also posted a series of unseen photos showcasing just how close Robert was to animals from his very first days. In the first photo, a snake named Jenny is coiled around Robert as a toddler. Terri said Jenny has been Robert’s buddy for 16 years.
Robert’s sister, Bindi, also joined the birthday celebration with a cute photo of Robert in a duck costume. She said he was the cutest ducky she ever knew. She also said he was one of the kindest people in the world.
Robert’s sister, Bindi, also joined in with the birthday wishes and another adorable family photo
Robert Irwin inherited his father’s passion and talent for wildlife and conservation. He became a TV star and a wildlife photographer. He even showed up on the ARIA Awards red carpet with a huge snake around his shoulders. Wow!
Robert’s fascination with wildlife definitely stems from his father
The young man loves photography and travels around the world to capture nature’s beauty. He was a runner-up in the junior category of the 2016 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition. His photos are amazing and have won many admirers.
Who was excited to share the wonders of the animal world with his two children
Steve Irwin passed away in 2006, but his legacy lives on through his children. Many people have noticed how much Robert looks and acts like his dad. They have even compared their photos side by side. Robert is a true chip off the old block.
Here’s how people reacted to the family’s messages and photos