Robert Irwin voices a character on children’s show

NKW YORK » Robert Irwin has long acted as a voice for animals. Now he’s actually voicing an animal.

The 17-year-old son of the late conservationist Steve Irwin is lending his voice to a character on the popular animated children’s TV show “Bluey.”

“I’ve had so many hilarious and awesome and scary and fun and exciting adventures with animals. But I’ve never gotten to actually be an animal before or be the voice of an animal,” he tells The Associated Press from his native Australia.

The Brisbane-produced “Bluey,” which centers on an eponymous 6-year-old Blue Heeler pup, her sister Bingo and their parents, Chilli and Bandit, has in just a few years grown into a worldwide phenomenon.

The show has been praised for its ability to speak honestly about parenting and childhood, with realistic dialogue and creative games. It won an International Emmy Kids Award for best preschool program. It’s available on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and DisneyNOW.

Irwin, who works at Australia Zoo, a 700-acre facility on the continent’s Sunshine Coast established by his “Crocodile Hunter” dad, tapped into his knowledge of dingoes at the zoo and his own pet pug to get into character.

“I feel like I have a lot to draw from,” he said.

Irwin, who was only 2 when his father died in 2006, has continued Steve Irwin’s work protecting wildlife and education efforts about the environment, together with his mom, Terri, and sister, Bindi. He usually makes documentaries, but leapt at the chance to reach a different audience with “Bluey” and expand his family’s voice.