Robert Irwin had iconic response to hopeful tourist who asked for his number while visiting zoo

Robert Irwin’s polite refusal to give out his phone number to a fan has resurfaced amid his recent risqué photoshoot for an Australian underwear brand.

21-year-old Robert is the son of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin—a lifelong conservationist and beloved public figure who died in 2006 after being struck in the chest by a stingray barb.

Stepping into his father’s shoes, Robert has grown into a passionate wildlife photographer who works at Australia Zoo and presents the Down Under version of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here.

Recently, the zookeeper has sent fans spiralling by becoming the face of Bonds underwear, posing topless with various animals and creepy crawlies.

Since the images debuted, a wholesome video of the Queensland native has been doing the rounds on social media again.

In the clip, which has amassed over 15 million views since it was posted in 2022, a woman gets the star’s attention while he’s hard at work.

“I think you’re so cute. I was wondering if I could have your number,” she says in the clip.

Laughing, Robert - who was 18 at the time - admits he was ‘very flattered’ before asking the interested party where she hails from.

“America,” she responds, to which the wildlife photographer said: “Oh nice!”

The Animal Planet favourite then attempts to deflect from having to let the girl down.

Instead, he tried to lead her to his Instagram instead, claiming his phone number was a ‘hit or miss’.

However, the direction was seemingly thwarted when the woman revealed she’d actually already messaged him on Instagram, telling him she’d be at the zoo founded by his famous father.

“Okay well, what’s your name?,” Robert asked before promising to look her up on social media.

Fans of the zookeeper were quick to comment on the viral post, praising him for his ‘sweet’ nature.

“He’s just like his dad so sweet and precious,” one TikTok user commented.

A second typed: “He’s too sweet, leave him alone. I feel protective over this stranger. Lol.”

“He’s trying to turn you down so politely. Just let it go,” someone else said.

Another replied: “Well his sister married an American so there’s a chance!”

Indeed, Robert’s 26-year-old sister Bindi Irwin married Chandler Powell in 2020.

Chandler, an American professional wakeboarder from Florida, met Bindi at Australia Zoo as a teenager before the pair said ‘I do’ there too.

Funnily enough, Steve also met Robert and Bindi’s mother Terri Irwin at Australia Zoo in 1991.

A year after their ‘love at first sight’ meeting, the couple got hitched, before welcoming their children into the world.

Hoping to follow in his family’s footsteps, Robert has admitted in a recent interview that he too hopes an American will come to Australia Zoo to sweep him off his feet.

“I'm single. It's funny, I’m at this point in my life where I'm like, I'm so open to that, but I'm just waiting for the stars to align,” he told People.

“I'm waiting for that American tourist to come into the zoo and for it all to happen!”