Robert Irwin became emotional on Saturday after achieving an incredible conservation milestone that he said his late father Steve would be ‘stoked’ about.
The conservationist, 19, posted a video to Instagram showing him releasing a baby Elseya Irwini turtle into its enclosure at the Irwin Zoo on the Sunshine Coast.
His late father Steve ‘The Crocodile Hunter’ Irwin first discovered that particular freshwater turtle species in the late 90s and it was named in his honour.
‘This is the first ever Elseya Irwini turtle ever hatched for any zoological facility anywhere in the world,’ Robert began.
‘Dad originally discovered this species in the wild and for the first time we have a little baby and he’s going to get his first swim in a brand new pond.’
Robert Irwin, 19, (pictured) became emotional on Saturday after achieving an incredible conservation milestone that he said his late father Steve would be ‘stoked’ about
Robert is then seen releasing the infant reptile into the water, which then proceeds to happily swim away into the distance.
‘Dad would be stoked, we did it,’ an excited Robert adds.
Many of Robert’s close friends were quick to comment on the heartwarming footage.
The conservationist posted a video to Instagram showing him releasing a baby Elseya Irwini turtle into its enclosure at the Irwin Zoo on the Sunshine Coast. His late father Steve ‘The Crocodile Hunter’ Irwin (pictured) first discovered that particular freshwater turtle species in the late 90s and it was named in his honour
‘So cool,’ wrote Irwin’s girlfriend Rorie Buckey and others quickly agreed.
Last month, Robert brought his fans to tears over the weekend with a sweet tribute to his dad on social media.
The son of the Crocodile Hunter took to Instagram on Sunday, sharing rarely seen footage of of him as a toddler with the famous conservationist.
Steve could be seen spending time with both of his children, as they enjoyed the great outdoors.
‘This is the first ever Elseya Irwini turtle ever hatched for any zoological facility anywhere in the world,’ Robert began. ‘Dad originally discovered this species in the wild and for the first time we have a little baby and he’s going to get his first swim in a brand new pond’
‘Today is Father’s Day here in Australia. Days like this are filled with so many different emotions, but above all, I choose to make it a happy day to remember the best moments with the best Dad,’ Robert wrote.
Steve Irwin famously died on September 4, 2006, after a stingray barb pieced his chest while filming an ocean documentary off the Queensland coast.
His wife Terri and children Bindi and Robert have worked hard at preserving his conservation legacy at Australia Zoo in the years since he passed.
Steve famously died on September 4, 2006, after a stingray barb pieced his chest while filming an ocean documentary off the Queensland coast. Pictured: Steve and Robert Irwin in 2004
