As fans await the arrival of the newest Irwin, Australia’s favourite family has shared rare footage from 17-year-old Robert Irwin’s childhood.
In a video uploaded to Australia Zoo’s YouTube channel, a young Robert guides his friend Riley around the famous animal sanctuary.
The little larrikin is the spitting image of his late father Steve in the footage, as he picks up lambs, joeys, baby turtles and other reptiles.
Just like dad! Robert Irin is almost a spitting image of his late father Steve, as he picks up the likes of lambs, joeys, baby turtles and other reptiles while making his way around Australia Zoo
‘Now, these are kids and we’re gonna wrangle them,’ the little boy says to his friend.
Although he handles the lizard and baby lamb with ease, he struggles with an echidna and says: ‘Ah, it’s pretty tough… What do ya do?’
Robert wears Australia Zoo’s signature khaki uniform in the video.
Crikey, what about the spikes! Although he holds a lizard and a baby lamb with ease, even a professional like Robert has a few challenges at the Zoo. When he and Riley come across an Echidna, Robert is beyond baffled. ‘Ah, it’s pretty tough… What do ya do?’ he cheekily said
In a video posted on Australia Zoo’s YouTube page , a young Robert guides his friend Riley around the famous animal sanctuary. Pictured, Robert and his friend Riley
Runs in the family! In the throwback footage, a young Robert is seen making his way around Australia Zoo in his Khakis
This footage was posted just a day after the Irwins made an exciting announcement on what would have been the late Crocodile Hunter’s 59th birthday.
In a posting on Instagram, Robert revealed that after years of appearing on TV, the family had now relaunched their own YouTube channel.
‘This has been a long time coming and we thought that today, on dad’s birthday, would be the perfect time to reveal this exciting new chapter,’ the award-winning nature photographer said.
‘This has been a long time coming’: The Irwins announced on Monday that they had relaunched their YouTube page. The announcement coincided on what would have been the late Steve Irwin’s birthday. Pictured: Chandler Powell, 24, Bindi Irwin, 22, Terri Irwin, 56, and Robert Irwin, 17
‘From never-before-seen footage of our dad, to the most behind-the-scenes look into our family adventures ever, and also exclusive content showcasing our conservation work,’ he added.
The accompanying video showed Robert, his mother Terri, 56, pregnant sister Bindi, 22, and her husband Chandler, 24, all wearing matching khaki uniforms as they stood on the grounds of Australia Zoo.
‘G’day guys! We’re incredibly proud to share the news that we’re officially launching our YouTube channel,’ Terri said, beaming with excitement.
Big news: ‘This has been a long time coming and we thought that today, on Dad’s birthday, would be the perfect time to reveal this exciting new chapter,’ Robert photographer announced.
Archives: Robert revealed the YouTube channel would comprise never before seen footage of his late father, Steve Irwin (pictured), and ‘behind the scenes look into our family adventures ever’
Bindi added: ‘Sharing behind-the-scenes adventures, home movies and special crocodile hunter footage, we’ll take you with us on our conservation missions, introduce you to our wildlife family at Australia Zoo and showcase our wildlife warrior work.’
Wearing her khaki top open, Bindi revealed a glimpse of baby bump as she delivered the happy news.
She is due to give birth to her first child, a baby girl, in just a few weeks.
Ready to pop! Bindi glowed as she spoke about the family’s latest venture, just weeks ahead of the arrival of her first child with Chandler
Fans were quick to comment on how ‘cute’ and ‘beautiful’ she looked with her well-rounded tummy poking out of her uniform.
‘Bindi looks soo beautiful with her belly!’ one follower wrote, as another added: ‘Bindi looks so cute!’
Since launching their YouTube channel, the Irwins have uploaded 19 videos and have gained 293,000 subscribers.
Coming soon: Bindi is due to give birth to a girl next month. Pictured in her child’s nursery