A charming new chapter in global wildlife conservation has emerged from Queensland’s Australia Zoo, where the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children have bestowed a heartfelt Welsh name on a young eastern grey kangaroo: Cwtch, which translates to “cuddle” in the Celtic language. The announcement was made in a joint Instagram post from the Wales family and third-generation conservationist Robert Irwin, son of the late legendary crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, who has carried on his family’s legacy of wildlife protection at the iconic Queensland zoo.
Standing surrounded by a mob of gentle kangaroos in a video message shared to mark the occasion, Irwin expressed gratitude to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis for picking the affectionate name that fits the tiny joey perfectly. “It’s the absolute perfect name for a joey kangaroo, because at this age, they love a cuddle and they spend most of their time inside that pouch with their mum,” Irwin explained in the clip. “Cwtch is now proudly part of our family here at Australia Zoo.”
Pronounced “kutch”, the name carries both personal and conservation purpose: Irwin extended the naming invitation to the British royal household specifically to draw global attention to the critical role kangaroos play in Australia’s native ecosystems, and the growing threats they face. Eastern grey kangaroos, one of Australia’s most recognizable native species, act as ecosystem engineers that maintain balanced habitats for countless other native plants, insects and animals across the Australian bush. Yet despite their cultural and ecological importance, the species continues to face mounting pressure from habitat destruction, accelerating climate change and unregulated human activity.
“Thank you for your support with our wildlife conservation efforts. It is so important that we conserve all of our animals, including the icons, the kangaroos,” Irwin said. “These guys play a very important role in the Australian bush, and out there in the ecosystem, they are just crucial. With all of the animals that we support and all of the wildlife conservation efforts that we have around the world, it is all about making sure we give back to the wildlife and the wild places where they live.”
The collaboration between Irwin and the Prince of Wales is far from a one-off gesture: Prince William has long been one of the world’s most high-profile advocates for global conservation, most notably as the founder of The Earthshot Prize, a landmark global initiative that funds and scales innovative solutions to the planet’s most urgent environmental challenges. Irwin has partnered with the prince on multiple nature protection and restoration projects, work that aligns closely with the mission of his global conservation nonprofit Wildlife Warriors, which carries on the Irwin family’s decades-long work to protect endangered species and wild habitats across the globe.