People with the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are facing scorn after criticizing deceased animal conservationist Steve Irwin on what would have been his 57th birthday.
The animal rights group sent out tweets that questioned Irwin’s legacy as an animal conservationist and said Google’s Google Doodle celebrating his Feb. 22 birthday “sends a dangerous, fawning message.”
On Feb. 22, the Google Doodle showed an illustration of Irwin in a nature setting, holding a crocodile that is chomping the letter “L” in Google.
“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,” PETA wrote in one of the three tweets.
PETA went further in criticizing Irwin.
“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’s response has caused people to turn away from the animal rights group after many saw their criticisms as hypocritical.
“Which is why PETA kills millions of animals a year in their ‘shelters’? I think the man who saved animals and brought them into sanctuaries has the moral high ground over the organization that wants to genocide cats and dogs,” commented Twitter user @Dedwrekka.
“Shut up PETA. Irwin studied animal in their natural place, and he never killed or attack any animal. There is [sic] actual animal killers that say they are studying and you are going against a deceased nice man. That's why people do not respect organization like this and it is sad,” commented Twitter user @AllNewBenji.
Wildlife conservationist Anneka Svenska said that Irwin inspired younger generations to go into animal conservation.
Others commented on the good work Irwin did for the kinds of animals he brought out in the media.
“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,” wrote bestselling young adult author Maureen Johnson.
“It was PETA's callous reaction to his death that made me stop donating to the organization. When I later learned about PETA's shelter kill practices, I really felt like it has no basis for calling out anyone for animal mistreatment,” commented Courtney Vaudreuil, on Johnson’s tweet.
Irwin’s family owns Australia Zoo and the animals Irwin recorded were often those that lived at the zoo.
Irwin’s family has followed his tradition. Irwin’s son, daughter, and wife host “Crikey! It's the Irwins” on Animal Planet.