Paige & Nick Aldis Take On PETA For Steve Irwin Remarks

PETA has been getting some serious heat for comments the animal rights advocacy group made about the late ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin. PETA took exception to yesterday’s Google Doodle honoring the late animal rights conservationist and took to Twitter to express their dismay, “Steve Irwin 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 Google Doodle sends a dangerous, fawning message. Wild animals are entitled to be left alone in their natural habitats.”

#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

The comments elicited a backlash on social media, including responses from the world of professional wrestling. Former SmackDown Live GM Paige tweeted, “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://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/1099114062661726214

NWA World Champion Nick Aldis also joined in on the fray, “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.”

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

Despite a massive amount of backlash, PETA did not back down and released the following statement via Twitter, “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. 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 Google Doodle should represent that.”

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