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Robert Irwin's answer to who would win in a fight between 100 men and 1 gorilla settles the debate.

In 2020, a viral debate was launched on social media prompted by an intriguing question: Who would win in a fight between 100 men and 1 silverback gorilla? In the years since, the question has been reposed repeatedly, with people expressing diverse but vehement opinions about whether a gorilla is strong enough to take on 100 humans or whether the sheer number of people would be enough to overtake the powerful primate.

Silly question? Perhaps. Something people can't help weighing in on? Most definitely.


@cbsmornings

Could 100 men defeat one gorilla in a fight? #NateBurleson and the internet are on the case. #gorilla


Some might think the most prudent answer would be, "It depends. What size are the people, and what's their strategy for attacking or subduing the gorilla?" But Robert Irwin, the conservationist son of the late (and much beloved) wildlife expert Steve Irwin, actually provided a perfect answer that should end the debate once and for all.

Irwin took to TikTok to share that he's been asked the "Who would win in a fight between 100 humans and 1 gorilla?" question over and over recently, even having people stop him on the street to ask.

"I have a couple thoughts on this," he began. "First of all, I don't know. Gorillas are strong, mate. Like really strong. But it's a hundred people. I'm not sure." But, he said, as an animal conservationist, the entire idea of fighting an endangered species didn't sit right with him. Then he turned the question on its head.

"How many people does it take to save gorillas?" he asked. "That's the question we should be asking because there's not many of them left."

@robertirwin

Everyone here on TikTok keeps asking me about this viral ‘Human V Gorilla’ debate 😂 I'm finally weighing in on the discussion everyone is talking about.


He explained that yes, gorillas are super strong and powerful, but most of the time "they're pretty chill." A gorilla isn't going to just randomly pick a fight with 100 people. Unless they feel threatened and need to defend themselves, they're just going to go about doing their thing, as gorillas do. "I guess what I'm trying to say is we don't need to fight gorillas," concluded Irwin. "Maybe let's just let this one remain a mystery."

People loved Irwin's take and the way he turned the question on its head from fighting gorillas to saving them.

"This is real masculinity. Lover not a fighter."

"Him gentle parenting us like school children is sending me."

gif, gorilla, animals, conservation, naturegorilla hurrying GIFGiphy

"The main man has spoken. The debate is over."

"He really said, 'it’s never HOW is the gorilla.'"

"'How many people does it take to save gorillas' is the most Robert Irwin answer."

"Your dad would be proud ❤️ spoken like a true conservationist ❤️."

Robert Irwin has followed in his father's footsteps and become an environmental icon in his own right, with fans from all over the world following his passionate educational content about our planet's creatures. Many in the comments remarked that they didn't know that gorillas were endangered, but it's true. All species of gorilla are considered Endangered or Critically Endangered, according to Endangered Species International.

There are two main species of gorilla, the eastern and western gorilla, and the World Wildlife Fund reports that both species have been decreasing in number for decades. However, the mountain gorilla subspecies is the sole exception, with numbers on the rise thanks to concerted conservation efforts. Mountain gorillas were officially downgraded from Critically Endangered to Endangered in November 2018, a genuine conservation success story.

However, there are still only around 1,000 mountain gorillas in the world today, so that turnaround in numbers is a fragile success. And other species still need our help to save them from further demise.

gorillas, endangered species, gorilla vs 100 humansGorillas are generally pretty chill.Photo credit: Canva

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund has been working on saving gorillas for over 55 years, focusing on a holistic approach that includes gorilla protection and ecosystem preservation, scientific research, training the next generation of conservationists, and helping local communities near gorilla populations. You can learn more here.

Thank you, Robert Irwin, for the gentle and timely reminder of what really matters in the gorilla vs. humans debate.

YouTube

Steve Irwin during a 1991 TV appearance

If you were conscious in the '90s or early 2000s then you likely have a pretty good idea who Steve Irwin is. If not, then you've probably at the very least become familiar with his children, Bindi and Robert, who have carried on his legacy of educating the public about animals. But in 1991, Irwin was just on the cusp of becoming a household name, so getting bitten on the neck by a snake while filming his weekly segment probably wasn't in the cards. But the snake must've been tired of being worn like a necklace and had other ideas.


Irwin was always known for his excitement around animal education but the normally animated Australian was oddly calm as the snake clamped down. Funnily enough, the little python decided to take a bite right after Irwin had finished telling the host that the snake wasn't feeling threatened so he wouldn't bite. Just as the words finished leaving his mouth the snake took his chance. You can see the realization sink into Irwin's face just before he tells the crew in a calm tone, "You might have to cut it. He's biting my neck." He emphasizes, "I'm serious," before instructing the cameraman to zoom in closer so he can get a better look to try to get the snake to release him. Thankfully the snake was nonvenomous and promptly let go of the late star's neck.

Irwin surely was no stranger to animal bites at that point in his career, but I'm not sure there's anything that prepares you for getting bitten on the neck while doing a television show.

Check out the video below:

The Australia Zoo: Home of The Crocodile Hunter.

Megan Grass of Utah took a trip to the Australia Zoo in Queensland in June and according to her viral TikTok video, ran into her crush, Robert Irwin, 18, the son of the famed “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin.

Steve Irwin died in 2006 but his family has continued his legacy. Robert, along with his mother Terri and sister Bindi, now star in the Animal Planet reality TV show "Crikey! It's the Irwins."

When Megan saw Robert working at the zoo, she didn’t waste her moment. She took the open shot and asked him for his phone number, which caught him a bit off guard. "I think you're so cute, and I was wondering if I could have your number?" she called down to him in the video.

Robert asked Megan where she was from and kindly directed her to send him a direct message on Instagram.


@megangrass12

tiktok do your thing @Robert Irwin #fyp#australiazoo #crikey

The video of Megan’s aggressive ask and Robert’s polite misdirection went viral on TikTok earning more than 15 million views. Commenters praised Robert for his tact while gently letting her down.

"He’s just like his dad, so sweet and precious," a TikTok user also named Megan wrote.

"Sorry but you need to be vetted by the public before even trying. He’s a world treasure we can’t take this lightly," Sean Clodwick added.

"Nobody could say ‘no’ nicer than this dude," Holly Morris said.

The video took off so quickly that Megan was interviewed on Australia’s “Today” show the day after she posted the video. During the interview, she called Robert, “literally the sweetest person ever. I was a stranger who asked for his number and he didn't have to be polite about it but he definitely was and I just think he's a great guy altogether."

She was also blown away by the video’s popularity. "I definitely was not expecting it to blow up the way it did, but it was a really cool experience altogether, and Robert was so sweet about it,” she said.

Robert eventually addressed his relationship with Megan in a video she posted to TikTok.

Spoiler alert: It doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.

@megangrass12

HE RESPONDED!! thank you so much @robertirwin🤍 #fyp

"That made my entire day," he said on Studio 10. "That was incredibly kind and a big 'thank you’ to Megan wherever she is. That really meant a lot." Then he explained that he can't give his number out to people who may share it on TikTok.

"Kudos for [having] the confidence to ask that and it's great to have that little chat and see the people who are really keen on the message I'm sending out in the world,” he continued.

It looks like there wasn’t a love connection between Megan and Robert. But it was wonderful seeing that in a candid moment Robert has the same infectious kindness that made his father a global treasure.

Megan appears to be taking her very public rejection well. She posted another video on TikTok where she said that there are “more fish in the sea.” However, a commenter named mystery_goat coldly noted that “and yet there is only one Robert Irwin.”

@megangrass12

someday #fyp #fish