Bindi Irwin has been slammed for her response to an American farm owner’s plea for help after she lost 99% of her birds to avian influenza.
Taylor Blake, also known as Eco Sister on Twitter, sent a desperate message to the Irwin clan last week after she thought her beloved emu and TikTok fan favourite Emmanuel had contracted the virus.
She offered to fly any of their contacts or members of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital to her Knuckle Bump Farm in South Florida to help save Emmanuel.
Bindi responded by saying she wasn’t able to provide too much support because the team at her hospital had never treated birds with avian flu, but did send her ‘love and prayers’ to the farm.
Bindi Irwin has been slammed for ‘pathetic and useless’ response after a fan asked her for help with ‘massive tragedy’
Some fans flocked to social media to slam Bindi’s response, with one calling it ‘pathetic’ and ‘useless’.
‘What a pathetic, useless reply. Zero effort to help when you’re in a supposedly unique position to use your influence and contacts to actually help her. Thoughts and prayers are cheap. You are unimpressive and that’s being polite,’ they said.
‘Thoughts and prayers are nice, but is there not someone you could recommend, given your family has been in this field for years?’ another agreed.
A third person wrote: ‘So you don’t know of anyone in your network who could help? One would assume it wouldn’t be hard for you to ask around or spread the word in the hopes someone with the right experience comes forward, rather than writing this form[al] letter response pretending you care.’
Taylor Blake, also known as Eco Sister on Twitter, sent a desperate plea to the Irwin clan last week after her beloved bird and TikTok fan favourite Emmanuel contracted avian influenza
Bindi said she wasn’t able to provide too much support but sent her love and prayers to the farm
While some fans criticised Bindi, others praised her for supporting and responding to Taylor.
‘I’m sure just the response lifted spirits of recovery for Emmanuel. That’s all one could even hope for,’ one person said.
‘I think it is so cool that Bindi Irwin replied. Still praying for Emmanuel,’ another agreed.
‘Thank you Irwins. We are all [praying] for Emmanuel. He is deeply loved around the world,’ a third said.
Taylor also thanked Bindi, writing: ‘Thank you so much for taking the time to write this, Bindi your response alone means more than you know. Please send my love to your family!’
Fans flocked to social media to label Bindi’s response as ‘pathetic and useless’
Taylor has been sharing the story of her sick emu Emmanuel on social media since her farm in South Florida was struck down with the epidemic.
She explained she has lost every chicken and duck as well as many geese, turkeys and swans.
Taylor sent a desperate plea to the Irwin clan after she believed Emmanuel had contracted the flu, however he later tested negative to the virus.
While some fans criticised Bindi, others praised her for supporting and responding to Taylor
She expressed her admiration for the family while asking for advice.
‘I have been a fan of your family for as long as I can remember, I am reaching out to you in total desperation right now,’ she tweeted.
‘I need help saving my emu, Emmanuel. I will pay to fly anyone to us, if they can help, no questions asked.’
Taylor has been sharing her story on social media since her Knuckle Bump Farm in South Florida was struck down with the epidemic. Her beloved bird Emmanuel was the latest bird to contract the flu, prompting Taylor to send a desperate plea to the Irwin clan
Bindi responded: ‘Thank you so much for reaching out.’
‘Though our Wildlife Hospital which has treated over 100,000 animals including emus, we have never treated an emu with this particular disease,’ she added.
‘We will need to rely on our fellow animal experts with more experience with this avian flu.’
Bindi continued: ‘Our hearts are with you and we appreciate that you care so deeply and have such compassion for darling Emmanuel.
‘We believe that all of us need to have love for each and every individual animal.
‘We hope that someone who has greater experience in their area can be of assistance. Sending love and light your way from our entire family.’
Bindi responded: ‘Thank you so much for reaching out. Though our Wildlife Hospital which has treated over 100,000 animals including emus, we have never treated an emu with this particular disease’ (left, Terri Irwin, right Robert Irwin)
