Derek Hough baby Koala
"Dancing With the Stars" pro Derek Hough had a baby Koala named after him because the Australia Zoo thinks he's an excellent mentor to Bindi Irwin. Pictured: Derek Hough at Knott's Scary Farm on Oct. 1, 2015 in Buena Park, California. Getty Images

"Dancing With the Stars" pro Derek Hough already has a few Mirror Ball trophies under his belt, and now the 30-year-old has an adorable baby Koala (aka a joey) named after him. Australia Zoo, which is run by Bindi Irwin's family, announced on Twitter Saturday that it had named one of the zoo's newborn Koala's after Hough because he's such an "incredible mentor" to Irwin.

The professional dancer has not yet commented on the exciting news, but Irwin re-tweeted Australia Zoo's message to her fans.

The Zoo, located in Queensland on the country's eastern coast, has been very supportive of Hough and Irwin as they continue to compete for the Season 21 Mirror Ball. The Australia Zoo even made a cute video of children doing the Whip/Nae Nae dance and then shouting, "Good luck, Bindi."

Hough has said repeatedly throughout the season that he and the 17-year-old animal activist have a special bond and he's constantly looking out for her. In a recent blog post for TV Guide, Hough revealed the pair uses a special code word -- "peaches" -- if Irwin gets too overwhelmed.

"I've been very protective of her and I want to make sure she's OK, so we have a safe word when things are getting too emotional and we just need a breather," he wrote. "So when we say it, we just stop, put on some rock music and rock out for a bit!"

Hough and Irwin will perform a contemporary dance Monday night for the show's Most Memorable Week. Irwin chose 2006, the same year her father Steve Irwin died, and she will dedicate the dance to the late Crocodile Hunter.

RELATED STORIES