Robert Irwin celebrates zoo milestone with special tribute to his late father

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LOS ANGELES, Oct 16, (Agencies): Robert Irwin is commemorating a significant milestone that holds deep sentimental value. In a heartfelt TikTok video shared on a Saturday, the 19-year-old unveiled a heartwarming connection to his late father, the renowned wildlife expert, Steve Irwin, at the Australia Zoo.

In the video, Robert became visibly moved as he shared the news of a momentous event—the hatching of an Irwin’s turtle. This occasion marked a historic achievement as it was the first time this rare freshwater species had been successfully bred in a zoo since Steve’s discovery of a female specimen during a crocodile-hunting expedition on the Burdekin River in Queensland back in 1990.

Voice quivering with emotion, Robert conveyed, “This is one of the highlights of my entire life and one of the most special moments ever for Australia Zoo. This is the very first Elseya irwini, or Irwin’s turtle, ever hatched for any zoological facility anywhere in the world.”

The video displayed an old photograph of his father holding up the adult Irwin’s turtle he had found in the wild. Robert went on, “This species is a turtle that Dad originally discovered out in the wild, and for the first time, we’ve got a little baby.”

The footage showed Robert gently cradling the tiny turtle in his hand while overlooking a small pond within the zoo. He explained, “Right now, he’s getting in his first swim in a brand new pond. This is a little slice of the wild. Let’s get him in the water.”

With a sense of wonderment and nostalgia, Robert watched as the baby turtle embarked on its aquatic adventure, reflecting on the emotional significance and the memories of his father that resurfaced. He confided, “It’s just so surreal. And all those stories from Dad about just how amazing and beautiful they are… I don’t get emotional that much, but I just know Dad would be really proud, Dad would be stoked.”

In the video’s caption, Robert further highlighted the conservation aspect of this achievement, noting that “a rare and unique species under threat in the wild has just been given a second chance.”

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