Annie Walton Doyle
Fans were left emotional after watching a clip of Robert Irwin crying over a birthday message from his late dad Steve.
Robert, 20, has dedicated himself to continuing his dad’s legacy by promoting wildlife conservation.
Steve tragically passed away aged 44 in 2006 after being stung by a stingray. Robert was just two years old at the time.
Like his father, the 20-year-old is passionate about wildlife and spends his days looking after crocodiles and snakes and feeding zoo animals.
In recent years, the conservationist has increasingly found himself in the public eye – he’s become a TV personality with popular shows such as Robert’s Real Life Adventures.
After watching a viral video of Robert, many fans have taken to social media and said he will be making his father proud.
“The fact that his kids are so kind, well-spoken, and as passionate about the wildlife and animals as their dad was is so amazing!” one fan wrote.
“So many kids go and do their own thing and they want the freedom to be themselves whoever that may be but Steve’s kids have both grown into such inspiring young adults who truly are a chip off the old block and I imagine Steve looking down so very very proud!”
In agreement, another added: “My heart! I will always be so saddened by the great loss of Steve Irwin. He completely transformed the way people view the animals that aren’t so adorable (as well as the cute, furry ones) and engaged us so much more than any prior animal show persona.
“He was such a big part of our lives as my children grew up! I’ve always dreamed of taking my kids to Australia and going to the Australia Zoo and meeting the wonderful, selfless, inspiring Irwin family!”
“What a great speaker at such a young age. He’s certainly doing his dad proud,” said a third.
Robert often discusses his father and his determination to continue his legacy.
On the podcast Mental as Anyone, he said: “When I see a picture of dad or footage, I actually love having his presence around and living in Australia Zoo. He’s everywhere. The images and the pictures, the video and the sound, he’s still part of every day for me.
“Having lost someone at a very young age, I love getting little pieces of him back. That’s what it feels like.”
In a chat with ET, he commented: “We’re also very lucky because, through all of dad’s amazing documentaries, we basically have our life on TV.
“So all we have to do is put the DVD in the DVD player and rewind and press play and we can relive these amazing memories. So we are very, very lucky in that respect.”
On Robert’s 19th birthday, he received a heartfelt tribute from his late father in a compilation message.
He watched the moving video at Australia’s Zoo and made an emotional speech.
Robert said: “It means the absolute world… I just think it’s such a privilege, personally and as a family, to continue the legacy of dad.
“He gave his life, quite literally, for wildlife conservation and to make the world a better place.”
In the tribute, there’s touching footage of Steve discussing Robert’s birth and expressing his hopes his son would one day continue his work as a crocodile hunter.
He added that raising children who could carry on his legacy would be ‘the proudest moment of my life.’
The video concluded with Steve’s dream coming true, with Robert now an active conservationist and zookeeper.
After watching the footage, Robert wiped tears from his face and joked: “Making me cry on my birthday.”
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