LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: There are many ways in which Robert Irwin resembles his late father Steve Irwin. Besides their looks and choice of career, it seems Robert is now facing many of the risks his father did while working with dangerous animals. Robert has carried on his father's legacy of protecting animals, even surviving a snake rescue attempt gone awry that was very similar to one his father previously experienced.
A wild carpet python attacked the 19-year-old wildlife photographer in the face as he tried to save it in a video he posted on Instagram. The same kind of snake bit Steve on the face in a second video that Robert posted.
Robert captioned the video compilation," "Déjà vu, Dad and me getting bitten by the same species of snake (carpet python) 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 😂" Although both men lost a little blood, they also made it a point to use the incident as a chance to discuss how snakes defend themselves.
Steve, who hosted 'The Crocodile Hunter' on Animal Planet, was a legend until his tragic passing in 2006. His wife Terri and children Robert and Bindi have continued to carry on his legacy. The family keeps the Australia Zoo running and carries on Steve's conservation work. Additionally, they have appeared on Animal Planet's 'Crikey! They are Irwins'.
'Forever my biggest inspirations'
Through their zoo and their daily lives, the family continues to honor Steve. Robert posted a heartfelt message on his parents' wedding anniversary. He wrote, "Happy wedding anniversary Mum and Dad. Forever my biggest inspirations ❤️"
How did Steve Irwin died?
While filming a nature documentary, Steve Irwin was killed when a stingray barb penetrated his chest. Steve had earned a reputation for donning khaki-colored shorts and shirts, engaging in crocodile wrestling, and handling poisonous snakes and spiders. He cared for damaged animals, adopted orphaned animals, and even helped kangaroos recover. But on September 4, 2006, a stingray attacked him as he was swimming in shallow water near the Great Barrier Reef in northern Queensland for a shoot. Before calling it a day, the team had wanted to get one last photo of Steve with the stingray swimming away, as reported by Inews.