Bindi Irwin has retreated from the public eye and social media amid her family’s highly publicised rift with her grandfather, Bob Irwin.
And on Saturday, the young Wildlife Warrior was noticeably absent from Australia Zoo’s school holiday opening show.
The 22-year-old instead let her American wakeboarder husband Chandler Powell, 24, take the reins, alongside brother Robert, 17, and mother Terri, 56, in the croceseum.
Crikey! On Saturday, Bindi Irwin was noticeably absent from Australia Zoo’s school holiday opening show – after announcing she was taking a break amid the family’s highly publicised rift with grandfather Bob
The trio sure put on a thrilling and lively show for fans, as they fed a large croc.
The clan all wore their signature Australia Zoo khaki uniforms as they ran about the croc enclosure.
At one point, Robert was even seen jumping in the water just metres away from the terrifying reptile.
Stepping back for a bit: Bindi has retreated from the public eye and social media
Taking the reins: The 22-year-old instead let her American wakeboarder husband Chandler Powell, 24, take the reins, alongside brother Robert, 17, and mother Terri, 56, in the croceseum
He’s brave! At one point, Robert was even seen jumping in the water just metres away from the terrifying reptile
Lively: The trio sure put on a thrilling and lively show for fans, as they fed a large croc
The Irwin family feud was blasted wide open last week, after Bindi claimed her grandfather Bob Snr, 82, had ‘ignored her’ since she was a little girl and ‘returned gifts’ the family had sent him.
The mother of one wrote on Facebook: ‘I really wish that my entire family could spend time with Grace. Unfortunately, my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family.’
She went on to claim that Bob had ‘returned gifts I’ve sent after he opened them’, and ignored any letters sent from her.
Lookout! Robert was just metres away from the hungry crocodile in the compound
Doing her thing: Matriarch Terri welcomed crowds to the show
Family rift: The Irwin family feud was blasted wide open last week, after Bindi claimed her grandfather Bob Snr, 82, had ‘ignored her’ since she was a little girl and ‘returned gifts’ the family had sent him
‘From the time I was a little girl he has ignored me, preferring to spend time doing anything else rather than being with me,’ she continued.
‘He has never said a single kind word to me personally. It breaks my heart.’
She went on to say that her mother Terri still writes to him and sends birthday cards and Christmas gifts, but claims they have received no reply.
Claims: She went on to claim that Bob had ‘returned gifts I’ve sent after he opened them’, and ignored any letters sent from her. Bob Irwin is pictured
Making headlines: She went on to say that her mother Terri still writes to him and sends birthday cards and Christmas gifts, but claims they have received no reply
‘We have also been his financial support since 1992 when he retired from Australia Zoo, sending him funds every week,’ she added.
‘We built him a house on a beautiful property and will always do our best to ensure his wellbeing.
‘I hope everyone remembers to be kind to one another but most of all care for your own mental health.
Mental health: Bindi, who welcomed her daughter Grace Warrior in March, concluded by saying she had to ‘choose to care for her own mental health now’
‘I hope everyone remembers to be kind to one another but most of all care for your own mental health,’ she wrote
‘Hi guys, Just a note to say thank you for your support. I’m taking a break from social media and most of my work in the public eye for a month to be with my beautiful daughter and my wonderful family,’ Bindi wrote
‘I have struggled with this relationship my entire life and it brings me enormous pain.’
Bindi, who welcomed her daughter Grace Warrior in March, concluded by saying she had to ‘choose to care for her own mental health now’.
She later announced she was taking a break from social media after her Facebook comment made headlines globally.
She wrote: ‘Hi guys, Just a note to say thank you for your support. I’m taking a break from social media and most of my work in the public eye for a month to be with my beautiful daughter and my wonderful family.’
Meanwhile, an Irwin family friend has said Bob Snr is ‘deeply upset’ by his granddaughter Bindi’s claims he’s ‘ignored’ her since she was a child – leading those close to him to fear the rift may have tragic consequences.
Upsetting rift: Meanwhile, an Irwin family friend has said Bob Snr is ‘deeply upset’ by his granddaughter Bindi’s claims he’s ‘ignored’ her since she was a child – leading those close to him to fear the rift may have tragic consequences