Robert Irwin criticizes media for misrepresenting family

Wildlife advocate Robert Irwin has criticized the media for misrepresenting his family and creating false narratives regarding internal rifts. Speaking on the "Something To Talk About" podcast, the 22-year-old explained that paparazzi once captured his distress at an airport following the death of his 13-year-old pet chicken, Piggy.

Irwin stated that instead of reporting on his grief, media outlets spun stories suggesting family drama or targeting his mother, Terri Irwin, as a villain. He expressed frustration with the tendency to "villainise" his mother, noting that she has been a constant, strong presence in keeping the family together since the death of his father, Steve Irwin, in 2006.

In addition to addressing media scrutiny, Irwin discussed his focus on conservation efforts, noting that the family's wildlife hospital recently treated its 160,000th patient.