Robert Irwin was almost eaten by a crocodile as it lunged at him in heart-stopping footage captured for the famous family’s TV show.
The 18-year-old, who is the son of Steve 'The Crocodile Hunter' Irwin, was forced to flee for his life when the leucistic saltwater crocodile made a beeline for him in an enclosure at the Irwin’s Australia Zoo in Queensland.
Robert was trying to discover if the reptile, named Casper, was comfortable in his new surroundings after being moved at the zoo, and he managed to escape by the skin of his teeth when he almost ended up on the menu.
In terrifying footage from the season finale of the family’s reality show Crikey! It's the Irwins, he explains that the reptile was brought to the zoo by his father Steve.
“I’ve got a big chunk of food for him here,” he tells the camera, as he runs off toward the crocodile.
“Casper has such a wild behaviour,” he explained. “And since dad got Casper, he’s had that instinct.”
Footage shows the crocodile swimming in the water while ominous music plays, and Robert stands close to the edge on the grass as he spots Casper.
“We’re just relying on him picking up on these vibrations that I’m sending out,” he said, as he stamps his feet on the ground.
“Come on Casper,” he calls.
He said that since the reptile was moved to another part of the zoo, he has “no idea” how it will react to his presence.
“And honestly, that’s quite terrifying.” he admits.
Robert can then be seen stamping his foot on the ground as Casper swims towards him under the water, as he says: “Over this way mate, good boy.”
“Now, we want to see a nice big reaction out of him. That’s how we know he’s happy,” Robert shares.
“He’s keen,” he says, as the beast jumps towards him. “Up here mate, easy.”
As the meat drops on the floor, Casper ignores it and continues to head towards Robert, prompting him to run as he shouts: “Bail, bail, bail!”
The crocodile is less than a metre away from Robert as he sprints away from the enclosure.
Footage from above the enclosure shows Casper’s snapping jaws narrowly missing the zookeeper's legs.
According to the zoo, the reptile is “one of the most aggressive crocodiles we have ever seen”.
