War of words between Bindi Irwin and Bob Irwin continues

Bindi Irwin’s aunt and cousins have responded to the wildlife warrior’s controversial Facebook post regarding her grandfather, Bob. Here’s what they have to say.

Bob Irwin’s family has come out in support of the 83-year-old after his granddaughter Bindi’s explosive Facebook post.

The father of the late wildlife crusader, Steve Irwin, is understood to be devastated by accusations levelled against him by 22-year-old Bindi, who recently became a mother for the first time.

It comes as Bindi quit social media last night amid the online controversy caused by her comments.

Bob’s daughter, Mandy Johnstone, the younger sister of Steve, said: “the whole situation sucks”.

“Dad is the most amazing father, grandfather and great grandfather,” Ms Johnstone said.

A young Steve Irwin with father Bob and mum Lyn, as well as sisters Mandy and Joy in the 1970s, at what was then called the Beerwah Reptile Park and is now Australia Zoo.

“Mum and dad took on my stepkids like they were their own. He is a huge part of mine and my families life. He has taught me so much in life in general and how to respect all creatures great and small.

“He always said to watch out for humans, they’re the ones that can be nasty. Stephen said the same. Why can’t people just leave him alone and let him live his life.”

Ms Johnstone’s comments came after Bindi Irwin shared an update on the status of her relationship with her late father’s dad on Sunday, which was Father’s Day in the United States.

Bindi Irwin with husband Chandler Powell and baby Grace.

Steve Irwin with daughter Bindi.

Irwin shared the post to her more than two million Facebook followers as she recognised her late father, as well as her husband, Chandler Powell, with whom she recently became a parent herself to daughter, Grace.

“I really wish that my entire family could spend time with Grace,” she wrote.

“Unfortunately my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family. We built him a house on a beautiful property and will always do our best to ensure his wellbeing. I want Bob’s happiness in life … I hope everyone remembers to be kind to one another but most of all care for your own mental health.

“I have struggled with this relationship my entire life and it brings me enormous pain. I have to choose to care for my own mental health now.”

Bob has not seen Bindi, who is the daughter of Terri Irwin, and sister of Robert, in 12 years.

Bindi’s received 11,000 comments, some of which came from distressed relatives.

But 24 hours after her first post, Bindi announced on Facebook she was quitting social media to focus on her family and mental health.

“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, accompanied by a picture of her and daughter Grace Warrior.

“Mental health deserves more understanding and support instead of being dismissed or patronised. “

Her cousin, Toni Johnstone, referred to her beloved “Poppy” when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.

Bob Irwin with granddaughter, Bethany Wheeler

Bob Irwin with granddaughter, Toni Johnstone.

“What was written by Bindi was so far from the truth it’s not funny,” she said.

“Poppy is the most caring, loving, beautiful soul and I am so incredibly lucky to have him as my grandfather. The fact that Bindi could write such horrible things about him and think that anyone would believe them just puzzles me.

“All I hope is that not everyone believes and takes as the only truth what this misguided girl has written about someone that everyone should strive to be like in life at some point.”

Toni’s stepsister Bethany Wheeler said: ‘We have all been silent and we have all felt sick reading the lies for too long. Poppy is the most genuinely beautiful human on this planet and has never spoken out or put down anybody.

“He is a man who sits silently and battles his demons alone, in what is great sadness.

“He doesn’t retaliate, only prays for his grandchildren’s safety and good lives. I have been given absolute love, respect, support and encouragement my whole life from this man. He has inspired my journey and given me hope at times I felt I wasn’t ok.”

Bob, who was a plumber before taking on his conservation work, and his late wife, Lyn, set up Australia Zoo on the Queensland Sunshine Coast in 1973 when Steve was a child.

It was first known as Beerwah Reptile Park and in 1992, when Bob handed management of the property to Steve and his new wife. It was renamed Australia Zoo in 1998 and Bob retired in 2008.

Bob Irwin with his daughter Mandy Johnstone

Bob Irwin with late wife Lyn and daughter Mandy at the Beerwah Reptile Park in the 1970s.

While well documented in magazines, Bindi, Robert and Terri have avoided speaking about their difficult relationship with Bob.

Steve Irwin died in 2006 at the age of just 44 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb on the Great Barrier Reef.

Amanda French, who co-wrote Bob’s 2016 autobiography, The Last Crocodile Hunter, commented on Bindi’s Facebook post.

French, who previously worked at Australia Zoo, said she considered Bob family and was shocked by Bindi’s thoughts on her grandfather.

“He doesn’t have long left on this earth, allow him the peace to just move on in his own way without name calling.”