Bindi Irwin Criticized For SeaWorld Partnership
Bindi Irwin, the daughter of the late Steve Irwin, made an appearance on Good Morning America to talk to co-anchor Robin Roberts about her newest business endeavor. Bindi arrived at the studio with her mother Terri Irwin, 49, and brother Robert Irwin, 10. She explained to Roberts that she has developed a new partnership with SeaWorld to help get children involved with the wildlife efforts. “We are so thrilled to finally be joining SeaWorld on a brand new initiative called Generation Nature, which is all about encouraging kids to get involved and become game changers for wildlife and wild places,” Bindi said. Despite her good intentions, PETA, and other animal rights activists, are criticizing her business venture and are wondering how she could partner with a company that is known to have mistreated Orca whales and dolphins.
.@BindiIrwin from @AustraliaZoo has been named youth ambassador to @SeaWorld! Congrats, Bindi! pic.twitter.com/9tpA6jJLUT — Good Morning America (@GMA) March 6, 2014
PETA released a statement explaining their outrage for Bindi’s new partnership. “The Irwin family has been exploiting animals for years, so it comes as no surprise that Bindi has agreed to become SeaWorld’s latest shill,” the statement read. ” But plastering her [Irwin’s] face on SeaWorld’s website won’t cover up the fact that orcas, dolphins, and other animals are suffering in SeaWorld’s tiny tanks after being ripped from their families.” PETA continued their statement by saying: “What millions have realized—through PETA’s massive campaign and the hit documentary Blackfish—is that SeaWorld is no place for anyone who truly cares about animals. Bindi’s talk-show appearances are just a flimsy last-ditch effort by an amusement park hoping to make a buck.”
By supporting @SeaWorld @BindiIrwin directly supports cruelty seen in #Blackfish RT if u hope she has a change of! pic.twitter.com/x8EnuTywXV — PETA (@peta) March 8, 2014
Maybe Bindi has not seen the documentary, that was aired on Sundance in 2013, that exposed SeaWorld for mistreating the Orcas, because she is thrilled to be taking the step to partner with them. “I’m so excited to be carrying on in dad’s footsteps and making sure that everything he worked so hard for continues for the generations to come,” Bindi said. “That’s why I’m thrilled to be empowering kids, because as kids we are the next generation, we’re the next voters, we’re the next decision-makers, and the next generation to really be changing the world.”
RT if you’re standing with @BindiIrwin to support the next generation of conservationists! http://t.co/J3dAu9i8oO pic.twitter.com/Jv6USS6cCp — SeaWorld (@SeaWorld) March 7, 2014
[Image via Twitter]
