Just days after celebrating his 15th birthday, an amazing comparison photograph of Robert Irwin alongside a photo of Steve Irwin when he was a child has been shared online.
People across Australia were amazed at how much Robert looked like his later father when he appeared on Sunday night’s episode of The Project alongside his mother Terri and sister Bindi.
Proving the resemblance, host Lisa Wilkinson shared a photo on her Instagram of Robert, as well as a picture of the Crocodile Hunter when he was around the same age. In the photos – which were taken decades apart – both Robert and the young Steve have a similar haircut, the same eyes and nose, freckles and the same cheeky smile.
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In the photo, Robert is on the left, while Steve is on the right. Fans were quick to respond to the uncanny resemblance.
One person wrote: “Wow! I thought at first it was the same kid.”
A second added: “Robert is going to be an absolute rock star, just like his dad. He sounds and looks so much like Steve, but he’s also completely unaffected by his fame. And his passion for wildlife is admirable.”
A third message read: “Wow! Amazing likeness. Such an incredibly likable, intelligent and kind young man. Not to mention your equally as incredible sister and mum. Your dad would be so proud of you all.”
On Sunday’s episode of The Project, Robert explained that he had taken on the duty of feeding the crocodiles at Australia Zoo – something his dad used to do when he was alive. He admitted it makes him feel close to Steve.
“Learning to work with them is just amazing and getting to be right up close to them feeding them, doing exactly what dad was doing is such a special experience,” he said. “And for me, I definitely feel closest to dad when I’m working with the animals that he really loved.”
He also said he’s close to graduating school, revealing that both he and Bindi were enrolled in distance education, allowing them to complete their studies quickly.
Robert celebrated his birthday over the weekend with a lavish party at Australia Zoo. He was presented with a giant triceratops statue and matching cake and treated visitors of the zoo with a special alligator and crocodile feeding show.
Taking to Instagram, he also said that he finished the “best birthday ever” with a quiet family dinner.
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When he’s not helping out at Australia Zoo, Robert is wowing crowds in the United States. He’s become a regular guest on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, mesmerising audiences with exotic animals and spreading the wildlife conservation message like his dad.
During his most recent appearance, he surprised host Jimmy with baby otters, porcupines and a baby zebra.