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That Steve Irwin Google doodle

Announcement posted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia 25 Feb 2019

Dear Editor,
 
Steve Irwin was no saint, nor would he have claimed to be. He was a showbiz personality, acting the part of a "wildlife warrior" brilliantly, while in reality exploiting and harassing the animals he claimed to protect. Hauling animals to television studios or ambushing a crocodile with ropes, duct tape, and a camera crew — traumatising the animal and temping other people to approach wild animals themselves or, even worse, purchase one to keep as a "pet" — is neither education nor conservation.
 
True wildlife experts, such as Jean-Michel Cousteau, frown upon the idea of hauling exotic animals around in an endless parade of shows and exhibits and disturbing animals in their natural habitats. Cousteau stated that Irwin would "interfere with nature, jump on animals, grab them, hold them … it goes very well on television. It sells, it appeals to a lot people, but I think it’s very misleading. You don’t touch nature, you just look at it."
 
Zoos and wildlife shows are just that – show business. Leave that for Hollywood, and please don’t support any business where live animals are taken from their natural environment, showcased and exploited.
 
Mimi Bekhechi
Campaigns Consultant,
PETA Australia
PO Box 20308 World Square
Sydney, NSW, 2002
(08) 8556-5828
mimib@peta.org.au