PETA has yet another bone to pick, and this time it’s with Steve Irwin’s son, Bob and Jimmy Fallon.
The animal rights organisation has taken issue with Fallon’s The Tonight Show and specifically, Bob’s Wild World of Animals segment during which he brings exotic animals out on stage for the host and guests to interact with.
In a statement, PETA’s Senior Vice President Lisa Lange said, “Animals suffer every time they’re exposed to the chaos of a television set and passed around like props.”
“PETA is calling on authorities to throw the book at this hack for brazenly violating – on camera – the clear conditions of his exhibitor permits.”
The investigation from PETA claims that Grant Kemmerer, who is responsible for providing the show with animals, doesn’t have permission to allow people other than himself, or his employees, to touch or interact with the exotic creatures.
In response, Kemmerer said The Tonight Show is an exception. “Fallon or Robert Irwin are not the public,” he told Page Six. “We are alleviating any potential risk, and for Jimmy Fallon, he’s not going into this unknowing.”
“He is a participating person in this. They’re having Robert on there to bring the animals.”
A source close to The Tonight Show also told Page Six that “the safety of animals is important to everyone at the show and we take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety.”
Sadly, it’s not the first time PETA has taken issue with a member of the Irwin family. Earlier this year, when Google celebrated Steve Irwin’s birthday with a new logo, PETA took the opportunity to make a statement.
“Steve Irwin was killed while harassing a ray,” the company responded to Google’s tweet. “He dangled his baby while feeding a crocodile and wrestled wild animals who were minding their own business.”
“Today’s #GoogleDoogle sends a dangerous, fawning message. Wild animals are entitled to be left alone in their natural habitats.”
There’s been no word from the Bob Irwin on PETA’s latest accusations, but considering he comes from a family of animal conservationists, it seems likely that treating animals with care and keeping them (and the audience) safe is always top of mind.