The world lost an icon when Steve Irwin died in 2006, but the Crocodile Hunter star’s legacy lives on through his family, who continue his conservation work at the Australia Zoo.
His children, Bindi and Robert, have both followed in his footsteps as wildlife warriors and television personalities — and even Bindi’s three-year-old daughter Grace has shown signs that she’s taking after her famous grandpa.
Recently, Bindi shared a sweet post about her daughter’s favorite animal — and why Steve would be proud of her.
In an Instagram post yesterday, Bindi revealed that Grace’s favorite animal is a species of turtle — and Bindi says it gives her a special connection to the late famous grandfather she never met.
“My dad discovered a new species of turtle 40 years ago… never knowing they would be his granddaughter’s favorite animal,” Bindi wrote.
“Today, we protect this incredibly vulnerable species with an endangered species breeding program. Elseya Irwini or Irwin’s turtle is in good hands,” Bindi wrote, along with photos of her three-year-old holding the tiny turtles.
“You’d be so proud of your granddaughter, Dad. We miss you.”
Grace’s full name is Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, with her “Warrior” middle name given in honor of Steve Irwin, the original “wildlife warrior.”
From the beginning, the littlest Irwin has shown she inherited her family’s love for animals. Even as a baby, she got to meet animals like a wallaby and a koala — and the family said she inherited her grandpa’s fearlessness.
“I think she’s got that determination that Steve had and that connection with wildlife,” Terri Irwin, Steve’s widow and Bindi’s mother, told Entertainment Tonight in 2022. “Because it is weird to see animals just gravitate to her.”
Though Steve Irwin passed away many years before his first grandchild was born, Bindi says Grace has gotten to know him through watching his TV show.
“He was the same person in real life as he was on screen, so I feel like Grace is able to grow up knowing him,” Bindi told Us Weekly. “As soon as we turn Dad on, she starts doing her imitation, yelling ‘Crikey!’ through the living room.”
“She’s the most beautiful and hilarious and wonderful soul,” Bindi told the outlet. “She’s three, so she’s curious about everything and so inquisitive and fascinated by the world.”
Bindi also mentioned that Grace has a love for tortoises and remains fearless when it comes to animals — including bugs.
“She has no fear when it comes to animals… She’s obsessed with bugs,” she told Us Weekly. “Every day she’s like, ‘Mama, let’s go look for bugs.’”
It’s truly heartwarming to see that Bindi’s daughter Grace has inherited her family’s love for animals and has such a special connection to her late grandfather.
