PETA Slammed For Criticizing Google Doodle Tribute To Steve Irwin On His Birthday

Animal rights advocacy group PETA was slammed by Twitter users Friday after issuing a statement about a dangerous message behind Google's birthday tribute to the late Steve Irwin. The group criticized the way Irwin died, and said he was harassing the animal that killed him.

The post, shared on PETA's Twitter account, criticized the Google Doodle of Irwin, which graced the Google search page on Friday. "#SteveIrwin was killed while harassing a ray; he dangled his baby while feeding a crocodile & wrestled wild animals who were minding their own business," PETA wrote. "Today's #GoogleDoodle sends a dangerous, fawning message. Wild animals are entitled to be left alone in their natural habitats."

Twitter users were angered by the comment. Fox News reporter Caleb Parke reflected on Irwin's influence in his childhood. "For all have sinned and fallen short of PETA…," he wrote. "For the record, Steve Irwin was my childhood hero, and I cried at soccer practice when I found out he died. He inspired me so much—his love for life, for animals, for people, and for this world."

Others pointed out the positive things Irwin and his family did, and continue to do, for wildlife. "Where is your habitat for saving animals?," asked political correspondent Kambree Kawahine Koa. "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."

PETA continued. "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." The organization also said Irwin exploited baby animals for his television show.

Irwin was killed in the Batt Reef in 2006 while swimming with a stingray. He was 46 at the time of his death and left behind two children. Irwin's death was filmed by a cameraman. His show The Crocodile Hunter officially ended on Animal Planet in 2004.

The Irwin family is still involved with the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, which is located in Queensland's Cape York Peninsula, Australia. It is connected with the Australian government as a legal conservation site. Irwin's children, Bindi and Robert, have followed in his footsteps as wildlife conservationists.