Robert Irwin narrowly avoids crocodile attack at Australia Zoo: 'Intense'

Robert Irwin has shared crazy footage of himself narrowly avoiding being bitten by a crocodile at Australia Zoo.

The son of Steve Irwin was trying to lure out a 3.5 metre long saltwater croc named Casper from the water for a feed, but the croc seemed to show very little interest in his food and instead lunged for Robert.

Robert Irwin
Steve Irwin's son Robert Irwin shared video of himself almost being bitten by a crocodile at Australia Zoo. Photo: Animal Planet

The 18-year-old was testing whether or not the croc was comfortable in its new enclosure so he could feature in some of the shows at the zoo.

Robert tried to distract Casper with the food, but had to abandon the task, yelling, "Bail, bail, bail!" and fleeing the reptile.

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One camera shot featured a birds-eye view of the attack, showing Robert narrowly escaping.

The clip comes from the season finale of the US TV show Crikey! It's the Irwins, with Robert sharing it to Instagram this week.

Robert Irwin trying to feed Casper
Robert described it as the 'most intense' feed ever. Photo: Animal Planet

Sharing the video to Instagram, Robert said it was "one of the most intense croc feeds I’ve done!"

He added, "We prioritise natural behaviour with our crocs. By getting in their enclosures with them, and letting them put on those huge strikes from the water’s edge, they get to use all of their predatory instincts and they just love it!

"Plus we can educate everyone about their conservation. But safety for us is also crucial and you definitely have to know when to call it. And with such a powerful and quick croc like Casper we had no choice but to bail!"

Many of Robert's followers were shocked by the encounter, while others loved Casper.

"Casper is so beautiful," one person wrote, while another said Robert has "so much courage".

Casper the crocodile
Steve described Casper as 'one of the most aggressive crocodiles we have ever seen'. Photo: Animal Planet
Steve Irwin
Back when Steve brought Casper and brought him from the Kimberleys in Western Australia to Queensland's Sunshine Coast, the croc attacked him as well. Photo: Getty

"Love watching your show!! Your whole family is amazing!" a third wrote.

"It was intense!" someone else commented.

Casper is a leucistic crocodile, meaning he's got much lighter skin than a regular croc.

He lives in an enclosure with his 'girlfriend' Wendy.

Back when Steve brought Casper and brought him from the Kimberleys in Western Australia to Queensland's Sunshine Coast, the croc attacked him as well.

Steve described Casper as "one of the most aggressive crocodiles we have ever seen".

Speaking of Casper's lighter skin colour, Steve said, "Not too many leucistic crocodiles actually live to adulthood in the wild, as their pale colouration results in them standing out to predators when they are young.

"On top of this it is estimated that only 1 out of 10 000 crocodiles are hatched leucistic, giving Casper and Wendy a very special place at Australia Zoo."

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