Bindi Irwin resurfaced on Instagram on Sunday after announcing a social media break and exposing her highly publicised rift with grandfather Bob Irwin Snr.
The wildlife warrior, 22, was pictured cradling three-month-old daughter Grace in a post shared to husband Chandler Powell’s Instagram, as Chandler introduced fans to a new kangaroo joey at Australia Zoo.
Last month, Bindi made headlines when she spoke about her strained relationship with Bob, 82, in a scathing Facebook post, claiming he has shown ‘no interest in spending time with me or my family’.
Headlines: Bindi Irwin, 22, resurfaced on Instagram on Sunday, after announcing a social media break and exposing her family feud with grandfather Bob Irwin Snr. Pictured with husband Chandler Powell, 24, and their three-month-old daughter Grace on another occasion
In Chandler’s photo, Bindi cut a casual figure in a plaid shirt, jeans and sneakers, and smiled as she cradled little Grace on her lap while crouching down to meet the joey.
‘Introducing our @australiazoo kangaroo joey to our human joey. Grace absolutely loved meeting the littlest roos with her mama,’ Chandler, 24, wrote in the caption.
Fans flocked to the comments section, telling Chandler that they hoped Bindi ‘was okay’ after she announced she was taking a social media break for her mental health.
Promoting their work: Chandler shared this photo to his Instagram of Bindi cradling Grace, as he introduced fans to a new kangaroo joey at Australia Zoo. ‘Grace absolutely loved meeting the littlest roos with her mama,’ Chandler, wrote in the post’s caption
On June 21, Bindi shared a photo on Instagram of herself cuddling Grace and said she was ‘working hard’ to protect her 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.
‘I feel tremendously grateful to share our life and conservation work with you but I need some time to focus on the happiness that is my family (both human and animal). You can keep up with our adventures by following my family and Australia Zoo on social media.
Mental health break: It comes after Bindi announced in an Instagram post on June 21 that she was taking a month off from social media and most of her work in the public eye. ‘I need some time to focus on the happiness that is my family,’ Bindi wrote in the lengthy caption
‘Recently, I’ve had many people reaching out to share their own stories of working hard to protect their mental health. Thank you for sharing and speaking your truth.
‘To my friends who are dealing with depression, anxiety and other battles every day – I see you. These issues are very real and deserve to be discussed and addressed.
‘Surround yourself with the light of people who genuinely care about you and will support you during the good times and the hard times. Remember there are helplines available.
‘Mental health deserves more understanding and support instead of being dismissed or patronised. You are absolutely worthy of love and kindness.’
Heartfelt: Bindi encouraged her fans to surround themselves with ‘the light of people who genuinely care about you and will support you during the good times and the hard times’
Claims: Last month, Bindi addressed her troubled relationship with her estranged grandfather Bob (right) in a scathing Facebook comment. Pictured in November 2007 with her mother Terri Irwin and brother Robert
Late last month, Bindi addressed her troubled relationship with her estranged grandfather Bob in a scathing Facebook comment.
She wrote: ‘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.’
Bindi went on to claim that Bob had ‘returned gifts I’ve sent after he opened them’ and ignored any letters sent from her.
‘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.
Barbed: She wrote, ‘I 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’
Strained: ‘He has never said a single kind word to me personally. It breaks my heart,’ Bindi claimed. Pictured: Bob holding a photograph of Bindi in 2008
‘He has never said a single kind word to me personally. It breaks my heart.’
She went on to say that her mother Terri Irwin 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 returned 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. I have struggled with this relationship my entire life and it brings me enormous pain,’ Bindi concluded.
Feud: Bindi concluded by saying she has to ‘choose to care for her own mental health now’. Pictured: Bob in 2016