Steve Irwin’s Lookalike Teen Son Re-creates Iconic Crocodile Feeding Shot 15 Years On

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(From the archives: this story was last updated in November 2019.)

The world mourned the passing of wildlife enthusiast and TV personality Steve Irwin almost 13 years ago, but his teen son, Robert, is keeping his father’s legacy alive by re-creating an iconic moment.

Robert uploaded a side-by-side photo of Irwin, the notorious “crocodile hunter,” feeding a crocodile named Murray beside a photo of himself feeding the very same croc, 15 years later.

In 15-year-old Robert’s nearly identical photo, he emulates his late father perfectly in khaki shorts, a button-up Australia Zoo shirt, dark socks, and sneakers.

“Dad and me feeding Murray,” Robert captioned, posting the photos on Instagram. “Same place, same croc, two photos 15 years apart.”

The uncanny similarity even extends to the looks of concentration on the faces of both father and son, and their stance as they lean forward to drop a piece of meat into the expectant crocodile’s mouth. Crowds sit behind the crocodile feeders in both photos.

"Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin poses with a 3-foot-long alligator at the San Francisco Zoo in California on June 26, 2002. ©Getty Images | Justin Sullivan

Speaking to the Daily Mail in May 2019, Robert confirmed that his passion for wildlife is just as real as his father’s was. “We never know how long we are going to be on this earth for,” he said, “you’ve got to make the most of every day.

“But I think for me, the wildlife work that I get to do, it’s what I live for,” the teen continued. “It’s what I love, it’s my passion, it’s what dad was passionate about, it’s what my family is passionate about [...] it’s what I’ve dedicated my life to.”

Irwin poses with his wife and children at Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Australia, on June 19, 2006 ©Getty Images | Australia Zoo

Irwin’s infamous wildlife show “The Crocodile Hunter” began in the mid-1990s and graced TV screens until Irwin’s untimely death at the age of just 44. In September 2006, Irwin was filming an underwater scene for TV when a stingray’s stinging barb pierced him in the chest, puncturing his heart.

The wound was fatal. Irwin and his wife Terri’s daughter Bindi was just 8 years old at the time. Their son, Robert, was only 3.

Irwin poses with his son, Robert, at Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Australia on Aug. 2, 2006 ©Getty Images | Australia Zoo

Irwin’s infectious enthusiasm and daredevil personality had won him fans around the world. Even his idiosyncratic Australian catchphrase, “Crikey!” won hearts.

Collectively wishing to keep their beloved husband and father’s legacy alive and kicking, the Irwins eventually named their Animal Planet show, launched in 2018, “Crikey! It’s the Irwins” in honor of the Crocodile Hunter himself.

Terri Irwin comforts Bindi and Robert at a memorial service for Steve Irwin at Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Australia, on Sept. 20, 2006. ©Getty Images | Pool

Irwin’s teen son has flourished as a television personality in his own right since hosting “Robert’s Real Life Adventures,” a program screened on the Australia Zoo’s internal TV network.

He has also co-hosted the Discovery Kids Channel series “Wild But True,” as well as co-creating a successful book series titled “Robert Irwin: Dinosaur Hunter.”

(L-R) Conservationists Terri Irwin, Bindi, and Robert attend Steve Irwin's posthumous honor on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 26, 2018. ©Getty Images | David Livingston

The family, together, has diligently continued Irwin’s conservation work in Australia since his death.

Terri, 55, Bindi, now 21, and Robert all contribute to running the Australia Zoo and the family’s non-profit organization Wildlife Warriors, and they continue to support various conservation projects for endangered animals worldwide.

“I think now, even more so than when Dad was around, our wildlife is really being depleted as such an incredibly rapid rate,” Robert said, speaking to LadBible.

“I think it’s so important that we can learn to love and respect all animals and natural places,” the teen adds, “not just the cute and cuddly creatures.”