By age 18, Steve Irwin had already earned himself a fearsome reputation as Australia’s top “croc catcher”, and would spend months on end alone in the Queensland wilderness working with his beloved prehistoric creatures.
WATCH BELOW: Robert Irwin looks just like dad Steve in fun lake video
Not long after, the young adventurer began striking out further, traversing the world from the plains of Africa to the jungles of South America in search of epic wildlife adventures.
His efforts led to the 1992 Network Ten series The Crocodile Hunter which propelled him to worldwide fame.
While Steve’s incredible life was tragically cut short, his son Robert – just 2 when his father took a lethal stingray barb to the chest – is by all accounts a chip off the old block. New Idea has learnt that Robert is “itching” to start following in his dad’s footsteps.
“Robert has worked in croc conservation, just like his dad, ever since he could walk,” says a source.
“He loves Australia Zoo and everything his parents built together, but he’s ambitious and wants to get out and see the world – hopefully with a camera crew right behind him, just like Steve did.”
Insiders tell that Robert, now 18, has been poring over his dad’s old diaries and been inspired to hit the road as a result.
“He’d love to go back to South Africa, where he’s been with his mum and sister before, and work on filming big game,” says a source. “He wants to be a mix of his dad and David Attenborough.”
It’s exciting times for the young man, who so resembles his beloved father. But we’re told his big sister Bindi, 23, is heartbroken at the thought of losing her brother.
“They were inseparable growing up, which continues even now that Bindi is married with a baby,” the source continues.
“She knows Robert deserves to live out his dreams and he’s excitedly telling her his plans, but it makes her very emotional. She’s never known a life without him.
“Not having her brother around won’t be easy, and she doesn’t want her daughter, Grace, to grow up without her ‘Funcle’. Bindi finds herself holding back the instinct to beg him not to go, and instead she’s trying to remind him what he’ll have if he stays.”
Indeed, just last week Bindi posted a family pic on Instagram of 1-year-old Grace staring adoringly at her “awesome uncle”.
“A note to say thank you for being the best … beyond proud of you,” Bindi wrote.
Although Robert does understand where Bindi is coming from, continuing Steve’s legacy remains front of mind.
“It’s so important to remember and cherish all the special times. Nothing but fun!” Robert recently captioned a photo of him with Steve on Instagram.
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