Robert Irwin couldn’t be a prouder uncle to his sister Bindi’s adorable daughter Grace, but it doesn’t mean babysitting the 11-month-old always runs smoothly.
In a candid chat with NovaFM’s Fitzy & Wippa on Friday, Robert revealed the uncle duty that he’s not in a hurry to perform again anytime soon.
“Bindi and [her husband] Chandler were like, ‘You should really change a nappy maybe’. I’ll go catch a venomous snake, but I don’t know about that. But eventually I went, ‘Okay, I’m gonna do it’,” he laughed.
Baby Grace is loved by her father Chandler, mother Bindi, grandmother Terri and uncle Robert.
(Image: Instagram)“So she sets Grace down on the on the change table. I’m like, ‘Alright, here we go. Can’t that bad.’ Little did I know it an absolute explosion… you don’t understand. It was like, coming out.
“So I’m sitting there with a whole pack of wet wipes. I use the – I’m not exaggerating – the entire packet. And it still wasn’t enough. It was the most terrifying experience of my life. I’ve done it.”
Robert said the confronting but hilarious situation made him have even more respect for Bindi and Chandler.
“It’s amazing. They are honestly though they are the best parents. I’m just proud to be to be part of the journey,” he gushed.
Robert said changing Grace’s nappy for the first time was a challenge.
“It’s all been just a beautiful experience. Grace is not even 11 months old and already she’s just a bundle of energy.”
The 18-year-old also opened up about the struggles his family has faced while trying to keep Australia Zoo afloat during the pandemic.
“It’s a really challenging time and going through a COVID pandemic for anyone is tough. But we were seeing about an $80,000 food bill every week. Just absolutely crazy. And when you’ve got no one coming in it’s not the best business model,” he admitted.
“And Australia’s zoo is so much more than just the zoo itself. You know, it’s about conservation. That’s what my mom and dad started.”
Robert heaped praise on his mother Terri and later father Steve for their work in conservation, saying they’ve taken in over 110,000 animals from all over the world.
“Through it all, that hasn’t waivered. Our conservation work is still going strength to strength. And it’s thanks to the support from everyone,” he said.
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