PETA criticized Google's Steve Irwin art and people are not happy

Weird flex and also not okay!
 By 
Proma Khosla
 on 
PETA criticized Google's Steve Irwin art and people are not happy
Credit: ITV/REX/Shutterstock

PETA is facing negative backlash (again), this time for calling out Google and Steve Irwin on Friday.

The Google homepage featured an illustration of Irwin, the late Australian zookeeper and conservationist, holding a crocodile on what would have been his 57th birthday. It was an image that PETA referred to as "dangerous" and "fawning."

PETA quote tweeted Google about 12 hours after the graphic went up, which still fell squarely on Irwin's birthday (he died after being stung by a ray in 2006).

Most replies were quick to put PETA in its place and enumerate Irwin and his family's many efforts to protect and conserve wildlife over the years. Wildlife conservationist Anneka Svenska told BBC Radio 1 that his work "has inspired the next generation of conservationists." The same BBC article details opposing interpretations of Irwin's career over the years.

Mashable Image
Proma Khosla

Proma Khosla is a Senior Entertainment Reporter writing about all things TV, from ranking Bridgerton crushes to composer interviews and leading Mashable's stateside coverage of Bollywood and South Asian representation. You might also catch her hosting video explainers or on Mashable's TikTok and Reels, or tweeting silly thoughts from @promawhatup.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
'Rooster' review: Steve Carell finds himself in feel-good college comedy
Steve Carell in "Rooster."

Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Show: Will he call out ICE?
Bad Bunny performs onstage at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 17, 2025 in Hollywood, California

FBI says it's investigating Signal. Should users worry?
Man holds up a phone during a clash between protesters and authorities in Minneapolis.

'Jujutsu Kaisen' Season 3 opening turns the Culling Game into unsettling art
A still of Yuta Okkotsu in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3


Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!