Bob Irwin, out of hospital, condemning Tourism Australia's treatment of kangaroo

[peter000]

Bob Irwin out of hospital, condemning Tourism Australia's treatment of kangaroo

From: AAP March 25, 2010 12:36PM, The Courier Mail

THE father of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin has condemned Tourism Australia over the treatment of a kangaroo in Los Angeles. Video posted on YouTube shows a kangaroo swaying repeatedly, crouching on concrete in a cage in Beverly Hills in January as part of the G'Day USA promotional event.

The kangaroo appears distressed and a number of animal welfare groups have already condemned its treatment. But Tourism Australia told the Herald Sun the kangaroo came from a reputable Los Angeles animal handler, was treated well and was only on display for four hours at a time.

Exiting hospital in Brisbane on today following what he described as a "major heart attack" at his home near Kingaroy on Sunday night, Bob Irwin took Tourism Australia to task.

"I'm shocked and disgusted on seeing the footage of a caged kangaroo on the street of Los Angeles this morning," Mr Irwin said.

"It is a terrible image for Australia to send to the world, seeing a magnificent kangaroo treated in such a cruel way.

"Where the bloody hell is the Government?

"I trust the Government will also take Tourism Australia to task on their poor judgment."

Mr Irwin declined an interview, on doctor's orders.

[dirtydog]

At least the Americans weren't driving round in a truck wildly shooting at it, or a helicopter come to that

[dirtydog]

tie me kangaroo down, Tourism Australia CRUELTY song


Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 January, 2010
Venue: The Paley Center for Media, Beverly Hills:

Tourism Australia had a huge kangaroo on the concrete - on a busy busy footpath, it even started raining.

The kangaroo was next to (8 to 10 feet away) from a busy busy street and was so traumatized it was rocking back and forth over and over again.

On Saturday it was running around and round in circles, chasing its tail in a craze.

Sunday (when a friend and I took the pics & video) a Tourism Australia Employee just stood around rolling their eyes while bystanders were clearly disturbed.

I am not affiliated with any activist groups, i am just someone who works in Beverly Hills,and had to walk past this atrocity 2 days in a row.

At one point one of the Australian Tourism worker rolled her eyes and called me 'pathetic' for caring about the animal that was clearly in distress.

I have contacted all local & Australian media and US Animal right groups, including PETA, SPCA, The Humane Society and Animal Liberation.
The Police, Fire Dept, and Animal Control are also aware of this disgusting act of cruelty in the name of Tourism Australia.

I am also sending all this media to Travel Agencies, Hotel Chains, and also NZ Media outlets, who I know will love to get some bad press on terrible Aussie tourism PR practices.

Is this REALLY going to get people to go to Australia?
It REALLY gives new meaning to the lyrics "Tie me kangaroo down Sport" doesn't it?

this was the event
Date: Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 January, 2010
Venue: The Paley Center for Media, Beverly Hills
465 N. Beverly Drive (cross street Little Santa Monica)
Beverly Hills CA 90210

Description: Angelenos are invited to experience a little slice of Australia in the heart of Beverly Hills. A program of multimedia events from wildlife and music to "walkabout" travelogues and cultural performances will ensure that there is something for everyone. Visitors will take a journey through some of Australia's iconic landscapes as well as its undiscovered gems with interactive displays and destination showcases. Visitors can also hear from special speakers, including National Geographic photographer Annie Griffiths Belts. Sunday will feature a special wine tasting event with Wine Australia, open to the public.


The event is open to the public from 10.30 am to 3.00 pm with ticketed KCRW events following each day:

KCRW Music Showcase with DJ Jason Bentley will take place Saturday January, 16 at 3.00 pm.
KCRW's Good Food Live event featuring KCRW's own Evan Kleiman will take place Sunday January, 17 at 3.00 pm. The event will feature Australian celebrity chefs including Curtis Stone and Pete Evans.

To express your disgust, please contact: MHatch[at]tourism.australia.com
or email or call any of the numbers at TOURISM.AUSTRALIA.COM

[taxexile]

and was so traumatized

not only animals, 2 days in LA will do that to a lot of humans too.

[peter000]

Vow to keep roo displays despite controversy
By Carly Crawford From: The Courier-Mail March 26, 2010 6:41am

TOURISM Australia has vowed to keep using kangaroos to promote the country because the animals are wildly popular in the US. The government body is under fire over a video clip that shows a roo inside a large pen at a promotional event staged in Los Angeles.

TA regional manager Daryl Hudson last night defended the practice, saying that if future promotions required a kangaroo's presence, they would do it again.

"Australian wildlife is immensely attractive to the US consumer and if it's appropriate, we would," Mr Hudson said in Los Angeles.

The roo at the centre of the latest animal welfare storm, 10-year-old Fesnick, has been appearing in shows and promotions all his life.

Handler Jim Brockett believes his long-time friend, Australia's late wildlife warrior Steve Irwin, would endorse the idea.

"Steve Irwin very much would have approved," said Mr Brockett, a 30-year veteran supplier of animals for entertainment in LA.

"When Steve came out with his movie, this roo was at the premiere."

Australian conservation groups this week lashed out at images showing the roo rocking back and forth inside a caged area during the G'Day USA event in January.