Bindi slammed as ‘Seaworld’s shill’
A US-BASED animal rights group has blasted Bindi Irwin’s decision to enter a partnership with US marine theme park company SeaWorld.
The 15-year-old, sitting alongside mother Terri and brother Robert, announced during an appearance on the top-rating US morning TV programme Good Morning America yesterday that she was teaming up with SeaWorld.
The controversial Blackfish documentary, which targeted SeaWorld, was not mentioned in the Irwins’ television appearance.
‘‘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,’’ said Lisa Lange, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) senior vicepresident.
‘‘But plastering her 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.’’
Orlando-based SeaWorld Entertainment Inc has been pounded by bad press, protests and boycotts by performers including Willie Nelson, in the past year after the release of the award-winning Blackfish, which probed the treatment of killer whales at the company’s theme parks.
‘‘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,’’ said Bindi, speaking of her father Steve ‘‘The Crocodile Hunter’’ Irwin, who died in 2006 from a stingray barb.
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. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
‘‘That’s why I’m thrilled to be empowering kids.’’
SeaWorld, unrelated to the Queensland theme park Sea World, has parks in San Diego, Orlando and San Antonio.