Robert Irwin welcomes new addition with sweet connection to dad

Robert Irwin celebrated with his 3 million Instagram followers last week as he revealed the zoo family was welcoming a freshwater Elseya Irwini turtle discovered by his dad Steve Irwin.

The 19-year-old explained that the extremely rare species was initially discovered by his father in 1990 and was named in honour of the late Steve Irwin.

He shared the “historic moment” in a short clip adding: “This is one of the most unique and incredible animals I’ve ever had the privilege to be around. This is the first time I’m actually ever laying eyes on the Irwin’s Turtle. This is such an incredible moment.

“For many years we’ve wanted to have them here at Australia Zoo, and finally we can say we’ve got them. We’ve actually rescued several Irwin’s Turtles.”

The teen conservationist gently held one of the turtles as it stared down the camera, explaining that the species is so rare there’s not enough known about the turtles to even classify them as endangered.

READ MORE: Steve Irwin’s widow urged to use dating apps by children 17 years after his death

He continued: “What we do know is that they are still very much at the mercy of human-related threats. They only exist in very isolated pockets. So if anything were to happen to these waterways where we find the Irwin’s Turtles, it would be game over for the entire species.

“Which is why it’s so incredibly important to have a population here at Australia Zoo to ensure that this species can survive for generations to come.”

The teen gushed: “What an honour to be holding a turtle that dad originally discovered. Elsaya Irwini…very very cool.”

The clip left countless fans in tears, with many more declaring: “Your dad would’ve been proud.”

Just days after the arrival of the new Australia Zoo family member, Robert had another surreal bonding experience with his late father.

The TV personality shared a clip from his dad’s conservation show, as the late star was bitten on the face by a carpet python while talking to the camera.

In a second clip, Robert was knelt beside a road holding another carpet python, explaining how he had found the snake when it turned and bite him in almost the exact same spot his father had been bit.

The teen captioned the post, as he took a selfie with blood trickling down his nose and temple: “Déjà vu. Dad and me getting bitten by the same species of snake decades apart.

“I found this python on the side of a road, but as you can see, sometimes snake rescues don’t quite go to plan.”