Emily
Robert Irwin, son of the renowned wildlife expert Steve Irwin, marked a significant achievement by successfully breeding a rare species of turtle discovered by his father in 1990. This milestone evoked an emotional tribute from Robert, reflecting on its significance to his late father’s legacy.
In an Instagram video shared on 14th October, Robert is seen cradling a newborn Elseya irwini turtle at Australia Zoo in Queensland. This species, commonly known as “Irwin’s turtle” in honor of Steve, was encountered by him while boating alongside his father, Bob Irwin.
Robert expressed the profound impact of this moment in the video, stating, “This is one of the highlights of my entire life, one of the most special moments ever for Australia Zoo. This is the very first Elseya irwini, Irwin’s turtle, ever hatched for any zoological facility anywhere in the world.” He joyfully released the turtle into a pond, marking its first swim in its new environment.
Reflecting on his father’s reaction, Robert added, “My dad would be stoked with that. We did it.” In the video’s caption, he further emphasized the emotional significance: “I think Dad would be pretty proud that we’ve become the first to successfully breed the turtle that he discovered. A rare, and unique species under threat in the wild has just been given a second chance.”
Steve Irwin’s dedication to wildlife conservation left a lasting legacy, carried on by his children Robert and Bindi Irwin, who share their father’s passion for nature. Congratulatory messages poured in for Robert, acknowledging the importance of this milestone and recognizing Steve’s enduring legacy.
Bindi Irwin also recently paid homage to her father with a heartfelt video showcasing Steve Irwin’s care for animals at the Australia Zoo.