Irwin a 'cheap reality TV star'
By Steve Connolly
September 13, 2006
INTERNATIONAL animal rights group PETA has branded Steve Irwin a
cheap reality TV star, backing controversial comments by expatriate
academic Germaine Greer over the conservationist's death.
The feminist was widely condemned after she described Irwin as an
animal tormentor following his death in a freak Great Barrier Reef
marine accident last week.
She said his death after a stingray's barb pierced his chest was
the animal world taking revenge.
As part of a large and vocal backlash, The Daily Telegraph sent the
67-year-old British-based academic a muzzle.
There were also calls on the Gold Coast for Greer to sell her
Queensland rainforest property and donate proceeds to Irwin's
Wildlife Warriors fund.
But now US-based PETA ( People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals), has branded Mr Irwin a "cheap reality TV star".
Spokesman Dan Matthews said Irwin's death was "no shock at
all".
"He made his career out of antagonising frightened wild animals,"
Mr Matthews said.
"That's a very dangerous message to send to children."
Fans around the world have been mourning Mr Irwin's death and a
memorial service for the 44-year-old will be held at his family's
Australia Zoo next Wednesday.
Greer labelled as "idiots" people who had turned the entrance to
Australia Zoo into a Princess Diana-style floral memorial.
She also described Irwin's behaviour as "bizarre", noting the famed
incident in 2004 when he held his baby son Bob while feeding a
chicken to a crocodile during a show at the Sunshine Coast
zoo.
A correspondent to the Gold Coast Bulletin newspaper said: "I hope
Germaine Greer believes in reincarnation. Next life should be as a
chicken at Australia Zoo!"
A poll by the same newspaper also found 89 per cent of respondents
said Greer was not welcome back to the Gold Coast.
I say, a fart on her.
