By: Ella Forsthoffer ’24
World Wildlife Conservation Day is approaching on Dec 4th, providing an opportunity for people worldwide to unite and spread awareness about animals that are endangered or threatened because of poaching, trafficking or other environmental factors.
While there are many individuals from the younger generations who are stepping up to lead our conservation efforts, one standout conservationist is 19-year-old Robert Irwin.
Robert Irwin is the son of Australian zookeeper, television personality and wildlife educator Steve Irwin who tragically died in 2006 at age 44 after being fatally stung by a sting ray.
Due to Steve’s contagious personality and his love of animals, many people were shocked to learn of his passing. However, we do not have to worry about his work being lost to time, as Robert is continuing Steve’s legacy and doing everything in his power to make his father proud.
In 2012, when Robert has only eight years old, he appeared alongside his mother and sister in a television series entitled Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors, which earned him a 2013 Logie Award nomination for Most Popular New Male Talent.
One year later, Irwin released a series of books, titled Dinosaur Hunter, which he co-authored with Lachlan Creag and Jack Wells.
In 2014 and 2015, Irwin co-hosted a television series named Wild But True on Discovery Kids Channel. The show was later nominated for an International Emmy Kids Award in the factual category.
Robert was runner-up in the junior category of the 2016 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition and in 2022 he released a new photography book titled Robert Irwin’s Australia to showcase his home country’s natural splendor and show the negative effects of climate change.
Additionally, he is the principal photographer for Australia Zoo Crikey magazine, which has given him the opportunity to travel the world on numerous shooting trips, covering everything from the mountains of New Zealand to the African savannahs.
In describing the source of his photographic abilities, Robert said, “My dad was a very, very passionate photographer. It sort of runs in the family and it’s just always kind of been there and been part of my life.”
In terms of service, Robert has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Irwins’ non-profit organization Crocodile Diaries by auctioning canvas prints of his work at events around the world. He has even met with world leaders such as His Majesty King Charles III to discuss the protection of our natural habitat.
On April 6 2017, Irwin was inducted as a member and ambassador of Scouts Australia, formalizing a partnership between the organization and Australia Zoo with the aim of encouraging Australia’s young people to become involved with wilderness conservation.
In addition to hosting his own channel on Australia Zoo TV, Robert is the star of the reality television series Crikey! It’s the Irwins which is centered around his family and their work at the Australia Zoo. The series debuted in 2018 and has four seasons overall.
Most recently, on Oct 16, 2023, Robert Irwin successfully helped hatch the first baby “Irwin’s turtle,” or Elseya irwini, the turtle species his own father discovered 33 years ago. Since its discovery in 1990, no zoo has yet to breed the species.
“This is one of the highlights of my entire life,” Robert shares in the TikTok video, as he holds the baby Irwin’s turtle. “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.
In a recent conversation with E! News Robert opened up about his late father’s legacy and what parts continue to inspire his life today. “I think what dad really showed the world was, of course, to have appreciation for the natural world and to treat every living being on this planet as you would wish to be treated,” he said. “I think that’s something that I’ll always carry with me.”
Ultimately, we can all rest assured that the world and all of its species will continue to flourish as long as there are people like Robert Irwin who are willing to dedicate their lives to protecting the environment.
THE BEAR FACTS 