PETA trolled Steve Irwin on his birthday and people weren’t wild about it, they were furious
Steve Irwin would have turned 57 on Friday so Google thought they’d mark his birthday with a Google Doodle.
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
But not everyone appreciated it, including the people at PETA who thought they’d use the occasion to tell everyone how much they really, really didn’t like Irwin or what he 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
‘#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.’
And that’s not all they had to say about Irwin, who died in 2006 aged 44 after being pierced in the heart by a barb from a stingray.
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) 23 February 2019
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. Animals deserve to live as they want to, not as humans demand––the #GoogleDoodle should represent that.
— PETA (@peta) 23 February 2019
Strewth, fellas! There’s a time and a place, right? And most people seemed to think this wasn’t it.
1.
Steve Irwin was one of the most recognized wildlife conservation enthusiasts in the world. Both of his parents were wildlife rehabilitators and creating awareness about preservation was the main goal of his show.
Thank u, next ✌🏽 https://t.co/Rpzr4wtaJv
— UberFacts (@UberFacts) February 23, 2019
2.
He’s dead, stop being disrespectful cunts
— Dan Bilzerian (@DanBilzerian) 23 February 2019
3.
You disgusting slimeballs. https://t.co/miKf2vf38X
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 23, 2019
4.
#SteveIrwin did more for animals and the planet than most individuals will ever do. #fuckPETA.
— Dean G. (@Dean0856) 24 February 2019
5.
https://twitter.com/piamuehlenbeck/status/1099210940547948544
6.
Steve educating on the inland taipan specifically making sure that you understand this isn’t to contribute to the vilification of snakes, but to contrast it with empathy, and passion. He dismantled the fear around a lot of our wildlife, while you use the holocaust in marketing. pic.twitter.com/QIN1nHefQM
— Ɲ. (@AdrianLeewayne) 23 February 2019
7.
You do realize his wife and children will see this, don't you? I also believe grieving family members should be respected enough to be left alone from shitty commentary on a tragic death – or is compassion and empathy simply left only for animals? https://t.co/8nMRGiiLy6
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) February 23, 2019
8.
While educating millions about wild animals in an entertaining and loving way, raising millions for animal charities and encouraging curiosity in children worldwide. How dare you reduce his work to "harassing". Whomever wrote this tweet is hack and a coward. https://t.co/WQA758eeSz
— Nick Aldis (@RealNickAldis) February 22, 2019
9.
Steve Irwin has done more for the environment than @peta ever will
— Tabler Elliott (@TablerElliott) 23 February 2019
10.
Steve Irwin devoted his life to saving animals. You euthanise, on average, 85% of the animals in your kill shelters. 🖕 https://t.co/Tt28fe0ZVV
— Caroline Hirons (@CarolineHirons) February 23, 2019