Robert Irwin: The Puppy Interview

Howdy, my name is Robert Irwin. Did you know crocodiles could hold their breath for eight hours? They all converge, look at that. What do you think, you look good in that? Hashtag new profile pic. G'day Buzzfeed, I am Robert Irwin and today I have the honour of playing with puppies. I am so excited. Usually when I am on camera with an animal it's a crocodile and I'm trying not to get eaten. But I don't know, those puppies, you got to watch them. They're very nibbly. Bring on the puppies. Let's do this, so excited. Here they come. Oh my gosh, stop it. Yes. Can I say hello to you? Hi, hi buddy, it's okay. You gonna have a little sniff? You're good. Hello darling. You gonna say hi? Oh my goodness, you are so cute. It's a puppy attack. We've had the first bite already. Hello guys. Hi, I'm Robert. Nice to meet you. Got me on the ear. Uh-oh, look out. They've escaped into the set. Hang on, we have an escaping... Oh no, the mic. Hello buddy, hello. Oh, how are you? Nice to see you. Hey buddy, I'm surrounded by cuteness. Should have brought the car keys today. I feel like I'm back at work. Look at your floppy little ears. This one's flopped over, hang on. There you go, that's better. I'm ready for my first... I don't know, am I? There's questions? My favorite animal fact is crocodiles can hold their... That tickles. Crocodiles can hold their breath for eight hours. Isn't that amazing? Did you know that? Did you know crocodiles could hold their breath for eight hours? Wow. Uh-oh, I've got your tummy. You got a bit of fight in you, don't you? You're so cute and chubby. Don't fall. Dancing with the stars. Yes, I found out and the first people I told were my family. Oh, hello. I was so excited because of course my sister, Bindi, she did the show 10 years ago. That was before you were born. She just loved it. And so it's such an honor to kind of follow in her footsteps. Hang on a minute, bear with me. You two are little escape artists, but it's so different to anything I've ever done. But when else do you get to learn a completely new skill from the best in the world? What a privilege. Hello, hello. Bindi was, she's just been incredible in this whole process. She really said it's going to be difficult. It's going to be a challenge, but it's the most beautiful and brilliant challenge because you find out so much about yourself. She said, really try and just lean into the experience because it's fleeting. It goes by so fast. Uh-oh. Whoa, you're just sending it. At our animal sanctuary, Australia Zoo, we actually had baby dingoes at one point. People think dingoes are just dogs, but they are like an Asiatic wolf. And tell you what, when they were this age, holy dooly, they were absolutely wild. Even wilder than you lot, if that's possible. I think the most misunderstood animal are your snakes, your crocodiles. Often reptiles are the creatures that people sort of forget about because, you know, when an animal is so cute and fluffy like you guys, it's so easy for them to just get right into your heart. But something that's got scales and big teeth, it's a little bit more challenging. But I believe they're just as important. Are you chewing my mic pack? You've been very naughty. It's okay. Crocodiles are very loving towards one another. They're excellent mothers. They're more than just these big predators. And I'm a big believer in trying to show the softer side to the animals that people sometimes, you know, might be a little bit fearful of. Because they have their own place in the environment. Isn't that right? What do you think? You have a very boopable nose. Boop. Would we ever want to do another show like Crikey? It's the Irwins. I would love to. You know, we had such a great time doing that show because it really felt like the good old days. Our legacy began with my mum and dad when they filmed Crocodile Hunter. And I would absolutely love to do another show like that. I think the environment needs advocates. Because our world, wildlife, our animals are so important. Oh, what do you think of this? Yeah. It's so important that we have a connection with animals. Because I mean, just look at them. They just brighten your day. What are you doing? Here's something pretty funny that happened not too long ago. I had rescued a snake that had gotten hit by the car. Got him all patched up and went to release him back to the wild. I'm doing a piece to camera with this snake. Like, isn't it amazing how he really understands I'm trying to save him? And isn't he just beautiful? And he looks at me and swings around and goes whack. And bites me right on the eye. Cheeky little bloke. Top teeth went in here. Bottom teeth here. My face just starts bleeding. But it's a really good indication that animals are animals. And that was not the snake's fault. That was my fault. But I tell you what, in my line of work, it is something different every single day. One day I'm catching a croc. And the next day, I'm playing with puppies. Is there a zero option? I am not a very rizzy person. Is that how you say it? I don't know. Case in point. I mean, that whole Bonds underwear campaign. I saw it as an opportunity to spread my message of conservation and wildlife in a different way. And whenever people talk about that ad, they always say, were those animals real? Like, did you actually have a snake around your neck? And I'm like, yeah, mate. 100%. If I can get out the spirit of adventure and wildlife and conservation, even if that means wearing underpants, then, mate, I've done my job. What do you think of the riddle? Oh, it would be a bird of paradise. The males will come in and do this incredible display with their feathers. Birds are absolute riz masters. Their riz is to be studied. Oh, wow. Okay. No, don't you get into it. Oh, we're still going. That's okay. It happens. Better out than in. This competition is amazing. And I see all of my fellow contestants less as competition, and they're just kind of becoming my mates. I think Dylan is a real one to watch. Dylan Efron. He is incredible. What are you doing? I can see you back there. Whoa, you went for the strike. Look, we've got a little puddle of dogs. Is that the collective noun, a puddle of puppies? Whitney is amazing. I just feel like I hit the jackpot with my dance partner. Not only the most incredible dancer, but she's just a genuinely kind human being. Oh my gosh, your feet are so soft. Look at those little feet. Oh my goodness. Ready, buddy? Here we go. Oh my goodness. Did you see that pose? Look at that. What do you think? You look good in that? He's thinking, yeah, hashtag new profile pic. I'm at this stage in my life where I'm trying to go on as many side quests as I can. Dancing, I'm doing an underwear commercial. I did not think I'd be doing that. I'm playing with puppies. So far, this is a career highlight. And so acting, like if you could somehow work in Robert Irwin to a Jurassic Park movie. I don't care if I get eaten in the first 10 seconds. Let's go. I can hold my own with crocodiles. Dinosaurs are easy. You good? You want it? Not my hair. American accent. I find it so funny how Americans say water. Hi, I'm Robert. Can I have a glass of water? Is that good? No. Can I have a glass of water? Howdy. My name's Robert Irwin. I play with puppies. That's terrible. Was it? I play with puppies. My name's Robert Irwin and I'm an all-American. But no, it doesn't work. Australians, I think, we all just think Americans just always say howdy. But you don't. We have a lot of Australia-isms. If you're really busy, like in America, you'd be like, oh, I'm so busy. But in Australia, you'd go, mate, I'm flat out like a lizard drinking. Or my favourite, here you'd say, oh, wow. But in Australia, you say, crikey. Best word in the English language. This is actually fitting because she was on Dancing with the Stars. Zendaya. Growing up, I just thought she's cool. But I also love Tom Holland. Like, I've got a full bro crash on Tom Holland too. Hello, guys. Hello. They love the hair. They're really into this. They're straight into it. The celebrities or the public figures that I've met that mean the most to me are those that are trying to make the world a better place. One that instantly springs to my mind is Prince William. Obviously, one of the most well-known and influential people. But he uses his platform to promote conservation. And there's a lot of heroes in the conservation space that I just think are amazing. Harrison Ford comes to mind. I mean, what an incredible voice for conservation. Almost always, it's people that still have a connection to my dad. I think there are so many people in the world who have been, you know, really inspired by him and what he stood for. It is such an honor to continue that legacy. And it's really hard to have a really heartfelt conversation while holding a chew toy and having my shoes absolutely eviscerated. Who else is here? Oh, BuzzFeed's in here. Thanks, guys. Oh, Melissa Rauch. She's so cool. She's from Big Bang Theory. I love it. Wow, this is amazing. The Ravens have slid into my DMs. Let's go. Football. The Rams. We've got some competition. Jane Goodall. Love Jane Goodall. Amazing. I mean, primate specialist. The DMs are a very eclectic place. There's a few people I need to get back to now. I feel like mine would... My love language is having my shoelaces untied. My love language would probably be quality time, I think, and physical touch. I'm a very... I'm a hugger. Like everywhere I go, I'm just like, bring it in. Not just, you know, relationship, but I just mean in all aspects of life. Like, I love spending quality time with the people I love the most, the animals I love the most, you guys included. And there's nothing wrong with a little cuddle. You know, a show that I've been binge watching and absolutely loving is The Bear. We just opened a restaurant, a fine dining restaurant. It's called Warrior. It's at our luxury accommodation that we have at Australia Zoo. I have new respect for everyone in the restaurant industry. It is such a tough feel. It's cutthroat. My go-to show that I always go back to, it's Modern Family. I just love... It's like my feel-good show. Modern Family is the best. I'm not just saying this because I'm on it right now. Dancing with the Stars was number one for me. Be right back. I'm just going to go get a puppy. Ah, that's better. Dancing with the Stars is a true dream come true. Watching my sister in the ballroom, seeing her light up the floor. And I just thought to myself, someday that's going to be me. And now 10 years later, it's a reality. I feel like I've reached the pinnacle, you know. And I'm ready to give it my all. Yeah, and also Love Island. Yeah, yep, yep, yep, yep. I also have a deep emotional connection to Love Island. A hot new bombshell has entered the villa. Can we just take a moment to appreciate this little face? Look at this little face. Look at your little floppy ears. Sorry, yes. I only just found out what a Le Boo Boo was. I'm sorry to burst your bubble. A Le Boo Boo is not an animal. I don't know what it is. Isn't that a wild trend? It's gone crazy in Australia. It's absolutely wild. You got the mic. I do not have a Le Boo Boo. No, I've got real life Le Boo Boos. I call them koalas. I'm the proudest uncle ever. Grace is just the most amazing kid on earth. She's the absolute best. Oh, are you okay? Are you good? I'm hearing a little bit of sad noises over here. Do you need a cuddle? It's okay. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. A typical day for Grace and I is, it's pretty wild. The Irwin genes are like strong with her. She goes at life at a hundred percent. So if we're at home at Australia Zoo, you know, when the zoo shuts, we'll just go around on our skateboards and we'll go skate down to the tortoises. They're taller than she is. They're absolutely enormous. We'll go past the koalas, have a little look at the little joeys that are popping out of the pouch. We've been doing some swimming lessons as well. I love a beach day with Grace. She's just got no fear. So if you have a surfboard, she's like, let me on it. We're going out the back and we're catching waves. And you gotta be like, Grace, you're four years old. Let's just give it a little bit of time. Really liking Royal Otis's new album that's just come out. They are so cool. Australian artists. I love them. There's a band that's, I think, based out of America called Sunroom. If you don't know Sunroom, they are the ultimate, the absolute ultimate summer playlist. That really cool, groovy kind of surf rock vibe. You're a bit sleepy, hey? Can go a bit of Benson Boone as well. Always goes all right. I feel very grateful that so much of my life with Dad, you know, I only had two years with him, but it was all captured on camera. When my mum was giving birth, Dad was filming the Crocodile Hunter series and I was filmed being born. So my whole life is on camera, which is such a blessing when you lose someone so special. Dad will always be my greatest inspiration and the person I just look up to as such a role model. The thing I remember most distinctly was his old motorbike. Every morning, we would do the park checks around Australia Zoo. At the time, being two years old, I thought I was just like, so bad, this is awesome. We were going about like three miles per hour, if that. But we would go and get ice cream and just enjoy the morning before the zoo opened. I will always look back at those distant memories as some of the greatest times in my life. He showed what it was to live life at a hundred percent. And I'm so grateful that I had a superhero for a dad. You know, I miss him every day. I miss him every day. It's going to get crazy. It's going to get crazy again. Here we go. They all converge. Look at that. I would name you Bitey. How many do we have here? Ooh, we've got one. I feel like, you know, it would be cute. The cast of Friends. Monica, Rachel, Joey, Phoebe. Oh, that would be cute. I'm binging that right now and absolutely loving it. I am, at the end of the day, I'm an animal conservationist. That's what I'm here for. I feel like I was put on this planet for a reason. To spread a message of approaching everything with a sense of passion and enthusiasm, but also to stand up for the natural world. We're going through some really tough times environmentally. We need advocates and we need a fun and fresh perspective. So I want to take on more projects that are doing just that to protect our fellow living beings. I think we all have a role to play in that. And I hope to be a voice for those who don't have a voice. This was by far my favorite interview that I think I've ever done. You can view more adoptable pets at laanimalservices.com. Round of applause for the stars of the show. Well done. Well done, you guys. BuzzFeed, this has been fun. Thank you so much for the best interview ever. And be sure to watch Dancing with the Stars, Tuesdays on ABC. You can also go check it out at Disney Plus and Hulu. Well, I'll see you on the dance floor. See you later.