That's a snappy name! Robert Irwin names his 'big boy' crocodile Prince William

Get your news delivered straight to you by 7am - sign up to our new Morning Mail newsletter for FREESee more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 18:31 EDT, 1 September 2026 | Updated: 19:26 EDT, 1 September 2026 The Prince of Wales can add 'modern-day dinosaur' to his list of honours, after conservationist Robert Irwin named a 12ft 6in saltwater crocodile after the future king.Prince William – the reptile version – is the 300th crocodile to be tagged as part of a major research project at the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Queensland, Australia. Robert, 22, son of the late naturalist Steve, who was killed by a stingray in 2006, introduced 'this big boy right here' on Instagram.He said: 'This is all for the conservation of crocodiles and over the years we have caught 300 crocs in this groundbreaking study.'I'm very proud to say that this big boy right here is the 300th crocodile that we have caught.'In gratitude and recognition for the incredible conservation work from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, we wanted to name this extremely special modern-day dinosaur, this amazing animal, after His Royal Highness. So meet Prince William. Here he is.'The crocodile will be tracked for ten years, providing data about what he eats, how long he can dive for and how climate change affects his body temperature.Robert added: 'Utilising the very same techniques that my dad, Steve Irwin, devised this croc is fitted with a small tracker that will provide a decade of invaluable data - all to benefit the conservation of this species and its ecosystem.' Robert Irwin, 22, has named the 300th crocodile caught in a study after the Prince of Wales The 12ft 6in saltwater crocodile called Prince William was tagged at the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Queensland, Australia Prince William arrives with Robert Irwin by bus to the Earthshot Prize Impact Assembly for Climate Action Week on June 23TV presenter Robert, who manages Australia Zoo in Queensland, is an ambassador for William's Earthshot Prize, the global environmental competition that recognises and rewards ideas to help save the planet.Robert and the real Prince of Wales struck up a friendship after meeting one another in South Africa in November 2024.The friends last made an appearance together at London Climate Action Week in June where they both rode a special route 2030 London double-decker bus through the capital city. The bus was the 3,000th zero-emission bus to join the TfL fleet.