Every year, the Irwins go on a crocodile research trip to learn more about the wild creatures that the late Steve Irwin loved so much. Last year, Bindi Irwin’s daughter Grace Warrior went with them, safely reading books with her mom while her dad Chandler Powell and uncle Robert Irwin wrangled crocs. But this year, the 3-year-old is more involved in the action — and she tagged and tracked a pretend “wild kookaburra” all on her own. Terri Irwin shared the most adorable photo of her granddaughter at work, and it’s a preview of her future.
“We are at the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve for our crocodile research trip,” Terri (aka, Grace’s “Bunny”) wrote on Instagram. “Grace has decided to tag and track a ‘wild kookaburra’ as part of the project!” She added, “Well done Dr. Grace!”
In the adorable photo, Grace is wearing her very own Australia Zo khaki jumpsuit featuring a Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve logo and her name “Grace Warrior” on the front. Her curly brown hair is tied back in a messy ponytail (is there any other kind for busy toddlers?), and she holds a little red microchip scanner in her hand, which the grownups use to learn more about wild crocodiles.
Grace presses a little button on the scanner, pointed at a little plastic kookaburra toy. The Australian bird, known for its laughing call, is lying on its side with a little tissue blanket covering it. She looks so serious doing her pretend work, and it’ll melt your heart!
“I can’t help but think of Bindi and her dad when I see these posts. They truly warm my heart!!! ????” one person wrote. Someone else said, “Precious! Gonna be like her mama.????”
Grace seems to love helping animals already, and it’s so cute. In March, Powell took Grace to the wildlife hospital for some adorable veterinarian training. “Grace spent the morning at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital in our wildlife nursery and treating her little toy whale,” Powell wrote on Instagram, along with pictures of Grace and her whale. “It’s incredible watching her connect and show empathy towards every species. Our thoughtful veterinarian in the making! ❤️”
It’s hard to say what Grace will want to do when she grows up, but we would be shocked if it didn’t have to do with animals. She already loves these wild creatures so much!
Before you go, check out all the ways Bindi Irwin’s daughter Grace is following in her mama’s footsteps.
