PETA criticises Steve Irwin, sparks viral debate over Aussie icon - NEWS.com.au

Australia’s controversial animal rights organisation has been slammed for seeking publicity at any cost after a series of “rage marketing” tweets criticising an Aussie hero.

PETA enraged the country after accusing Google of “fawning” over Steve Irwin after it paid tribute to the Crocodile Hunter start on Friday on what would have been his 57th birthday.

Google Doodle even shared a special design in honour of the Australian conservationist — along with an emotional guest post from his wife Terri Irwin, 54.

“Today’s #GoogleDoodle sends a dangerous, fawning message. Wild animals are entitled to be left alone in their natural habitats,” the series of tweets read.

“Steve Irwin’s actions were not on target with his supposed message of protecting wildlife.

“It is harassment to drag exotic animals, including babies taken from their mothers, around from TV talk shows to conferences & force them to perform as Steve Irwin did.”

#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. https://t.co/9JfJiBhGLw
— PETA (@peta) February 22, 2019

Aussies were quick to come down hard on PETA, slamming them for “disgusting rage marketing” and “dragging a beloved dead man’s name through the mud to get more eyes and clicks”.

“You know what you’re doing. Rage marketing works,” wrote Ryan Magee.

Another add: “You will get more comments and attention than normal, but your propaganda has ceased to have the effect it used to have and frankly you have plummeted to disgusting depths!”.

Celebrities are calling for the organisation to shutdown its social media, with the tweet gaining thousands of retweets.

Australian basketballer Andrew Bogut said PETA should delete its account.

Never mind what charity work he did for endangered animals, the funds he raised, animals he helped, the people he educated.. he was a brilliant person who did so much for so many people and animals. @peta you are wrong to disrespect such a wonderful man.
— Silkie Allen (@Silkie_Allen) February 22, 2019

I’m happily blocked by @peta. They are a cancer to society who kill more animals than McDonald’s... #petakills
— MershMersh (@MershMersh) February 23, 2019

Damn @peta shame on you. He raised millions in animal charities. Taught a lot of people about wildlife in a non aggressive way and also has a foundation where he did and his family continues to save injured, endangered or threatened animals. Terrible tweet from you guys. https://t.co/rIF7917pU0
— PAIGE (@RealPaigeWWE) February 23, 2019

May the spirit of Steve Irwin haunt them with possessed crocodiles.... pic.twitter.com/D0ydpwpRt9
— DeVon2112 (@DeVon_FNMfan2K8) February 23, 2019

Where is your habitat for saving animals? You have a wildlife preserve anywhere? Do you have 1,000's of acres preserving animals from extinction?
Steve Irwin spent his whole life wanting to save animals. Ya'll are becoming "progressively" pathetic.
What a croc.
— Kambree Kawahine Koa (@KamVTV) February 23, 2019

Steve Irwin and his family reclaim land for animals and run a massive wildlife rescue. His life mission was to save animals and educate people about them. I’m one of many vegetarians who rip out their hair when @peta weighs in. Shame on you. https://t.co/m4fdNymjao
— Maureen Johnson (@maureenjohnson) February 23, 2019

The overwhelming response prompted PETA to justify its stance.

“A real wildlife expert & someone who respects animals for the individuals they are leaves them to their own business in their natural homes,” they later posted.

But many remained unpersuaded.

Steve Irwin’s actions were not on target with his supposed message of protecting wildlife. A real wildlife expert & someone who respects animals for the individuals they are leaves them to their own business in their natural homes.
— PETA (@peta) February 23, 2019

There have been few people who have done more for wildlife conservation and education than the Irwin family. You owe them an apology.
— Dave Hogg (@stareagle) February 23, 2019

KEEP HIS NAME OUT YA GOD DAMN TWEETS pic.twitter.com/X9hBy0bNPj
— Erin (@_eringraham_) February 23, 2019

Steve Irwin made me want to help animals.@peta makes me want to order an extra rare prime rib with a side of wings. https://t.co/4ruePclQp4
— Mike From Woburn (@MikeFromWoburn) February 22, 2019

After the tweets spawn a hate thread on Reddit, PETA Presdient Ingrid Newkirk went on to give another statement on the issue.

“PETA must ask who commissioned these dangerous, hagiographic cartoons of a man who died while harassing a stingray, dangled his baby while feeding a crocodile, and “wrestled” wild animals who were minding their own business,” she told Daily Mail Australia.

“This fawning, ignorant tribute is a slap in the face to the vast majority of people who acknowledge that wild animals are entitled to be left alone in their natural habitats.”

Despite the backlash, Irwin’s family — wife Terri, daughter Bindi, 21, and son Robert, 16 — continue to keep his mission and legacy alive.

“We are so proud that his legacy lives on, as that was his greatest wish,” Terri wrote in her tribute to her husband.

“He once said, ‘I don’t care if I’m remembered, as long as my message is remembered.’”

Thank you for all your kind words to remember Steve’s birthday. You can honour his passion to protect crocodiles.https://t.co/HBVyMLkfk5 pic.twitter.com/1NcpwRZfY4
— Terri Irwin (@TerriIrwin) February 23, 2019

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