When PETA criticized the late Steve Irwin’s love of animals in a tweet, the response was not what the animal rights organization expected.
Hundreds of thousands of people are defending the Crocodile Hunter after PETA said a Google Doodle commemorating Irwin’s life was dangerous and fawning.
CRIKEY!
Today’s #GoogleDoodle celebrates #SteveIrwin, the legendary Australian wildlife advocate & TV personality whose bravery & passion opened the eyes of millions to the wonders of wildlife. 🐊
Explore the full slideshow Doodle here → https://t.co/z8PPgDaXfr pic.twitter.com/mGtpwSuqzL
— Google Doodles (@GoogleDoodles) February 22, 2019
Irwin’s wife Terry and his children Bindi and Robert have continued his legacy. Irwin would have turned 57 on Feb 22nd and the Google Doodle shows an animated Irwin exploring and interacting with animals.
Irwin died suddenly in September 2006 when a stingray pierced his heart while he was shooting a documentary in Australia.
In a statement, Terri Irwin commemorated her late husband’s life.
“Losing Steve was a real crossroads for us, but together we decided to continue his mission. Bindi, Robert and I have dedicated our lives to the wildlife conservation work that Steve began,” said Terri Irwin.
“Today’s Google Doodle acknowledges the life and achievements of my husband Steve Irwin, whose efforts to protect wildlife and wild places have been recognised as the most extensive of any conservationist. We are so proud that his legacy lives on, as that was his greatest wish. He once said, ‘I don’t care if I’m remembered, as long as my message is remembered.'”
PETA said in a tweet that Irwin’s legacy is much different than what the Irwin family says.
SteveIrwin was killed while harassing a ray; he dangled his baby while feeding a crocodile & wrestled wild animals who were minding their own business. Today’s #GoogleDoodle sends a dangerous, fawning message. Wild animals are entitled to be left alone in their natural habitats.
Some of the responses back called PETA’s tweet inappropriate including this one from Drake Bell on Twitter.
So your response here is this Human deserved what he got and is better off dead?! You are a disgusting organizationand and should be absolutely ashamed!! He was a FATHER and a HUSBAND and did WAY more for wild life conservation than the IDIOT INTERN hired to write this tweet!
