The world is starting to find out more about the Irwin family thanks to their heroic efforts in saving wildlife that has been affected by the raging Australian bushfires.
In fact, the family has already managed to save more than 90,000 animals although this is a literal drop in the bucket considering that experts estimate that nearly half-a-billion animals in the wild have already perished from the blazes.
Such a comparison of numbers could easily bring one to despair but what is inspiring is that the Irwin family, along with all other Australians, continue to struggle on despite the odds. It’s safe to say that the late Steve Irwin raised his kids well and nothing can make a parent more proud than for their children to step out of their shadow.
The fact that Robert Irwin is already well on his way to being an adult when a picture emerged of him with Robert Downey Jr., 16 years after they first met. In fact, they both help up a pic that showed Irwin as a babe being held by “crocodile hunter” Steve with Downey Jr. as they posed with a huge snake.
It was a heartwarming reminder of how much time had passed.
Irwin wrote: “The first time I met @robertdowneyjr was when I was just a few months old when he and his family visited @australiazoo – it was awesome getting to catch up again to chat all things #Dolittle.
“One of the kindest people you’ll meet, and an incredible advocate for our environment! (Keep an eye out for Robert and me on Australia’s @thetodayshow this Wednesday).”
Fans were equally jubilant that the two had reconnected after all this time, shown by the fact that the photo got more than 250,000 likes barely 12 hours after it was posted.
One fan commented: “You’re the real-life version of the character.”
Another posted: “Two legends in one pic.”
And a third chipped in: “Omg I love you both so much! You are great people and influencers.”
The photo came a day after Irwin had to choke back tears while being interviewed on TV as he was describing how the bushfires were affecting Australian wildlife and the environment.
The evidently distraught 16-year-old said in the interview: “It’s definitely an ongoing issue and we’re just trying to do our best to help in any way we can.
“But it’s a pretty tough situation. We’re absolutely heartbroken.”
The bushfires have shown no signs of abating and ecologists from the University of Sydney say that roughly 480 million birds, mammals, and reptiles have likely died because of the blazes.
Dr. Kellie Leigh, executive director at Science for Wildlife, told the New South Wales upper house inquiry: “We’re getting a lot of lessons out of this and it’s just showing how unprepared we are.
“There’s no procedures or protocols in place – even wildlife carers don’t have protocols for when they can go in after the fire.”
Through the Australian Zoo of the Irwins, more than 90,000 animal patients had already been treated.
Irwin talked about the type of injuries they encounter on a daily basis, saying: “We’re seeing all kinds of different injuries.
“Obviously smoke inhalation and burns are happening frequently, but also animals are going into areas where they’re not supposed to be to escape the horrific conditions.”
Replaced!