Robert Irwin turned 10 today (December 1st). Son of late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, Robert celebrated with more than just birthday cake, feeding his first saltwater crocodile in front of an excited audience at Australia Zoo’s Crocoseum.
Like his sister Bindi before him, turning ten in the Irwin household is celebrated with the land mark feeding of this prehistoric predator.
“Today is the day, for the first time, since he was two that I wont hear, ‘When can I feed a salt water crocodile,’” a proud yet Terri Irwin laughed apprehensively.
“It’s only been eight years of daily begging so I’m really looking forward to it. I’m so excited for you and really proud of you.”
Under the reassuring guidance of Australia Zoo director Wes Mannion, Robert approached the pool’s edge, food in hand where “Monty” a 3.7m saltwater crocodile awaited. A couple of stomps from Robert’s boots brings the living 400kg monster from the shallows to receive the first morsels from the youngest Irwin, looking every bit the image of his father.
“That was absolutely amazing, really, really cool,” a pumped Robert exclaimed.
“That was the best birthday present ever, that was awesome.”
Living at a Zoo and having a fascination for dinosaurs also means that Robert also gets some rather large toys with the unveiling of yet another prehistoric croc species sculpture by resident Australia Zoo artist Cameron Chapman.
The super croc sculpture features a Parasaurolophus and a Deinosuchus. A Parasaurolophus was a duck billed dinosaur, which weighed around 2.7 tonnes and could walk on either two legs or four. While a Deinosuchus, was related to the alligator and lived 80 to 73 million years ago, during the late Cretaceous period.
Robert’s tenth year is gearing up to be a big one, with the launch of his TV show ‘Wild but True’ which will air on Discovery Kids Asia in 2014.
Slideshow images courtesy Australia Zoo.