Bindi Irwin was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery while in Las Vegas for the Steve Irwin Gala on May 10.
The 26-year-old was unable to attend the event, where she had planned to honor her late father and continue her family’s Wildlife Warriors mission.
Bindi’s brother, Robert Irwin, 21, stepped in to speak on her behalf, confirming that Bindi’s appendix had ruptured and required immediate surgery.
“She’s going to be OK, but surgery — out of all the things we were ready for, that was not one of them,” he told PEOPLE.
Their mother, Terri Irwin, 60, stayed by Bindi’s side at the hospital. “She’s just come out the other side of endometriosis and now the appendix goes,” Robert said. Despite being in significant pain, Bindi initially planned to attend the gala but was advised against it by her medical team.
