Bindi Irwin has refused to contact trolls who have called her “pathetic” over her reaction to an American farm owner whose emu had fallen ill.
The 24-year-old wildlife warrior chose to ignore her haters when she returned to Instagram on Tuesday, opting instead to post a romantic tribute to her husband Chandler Powell, 25.
A #flashback just because I love this handsome boy so much. This photo was taken right after we got engaged,” she wrote in July 2019 alongside a photo of the couple hugging at Australia Zoo.
Bindi Irwin has refused to contact trolls who have called her “pathetic” over her reaction to an American farm owner whose emu had fallen ill. Rather than hit back, she posted this throwback photo to Instagram on Tuesday alongside a tribute to her husband Chandler Powell
“@chandlerpowell, you make me happier than I ever thought possible,” she added.
In the photo, Bindi glimpsed her engagement ring as she wrapped her arms around her beau’s shoulders ecstatically.
Chandler responded in the comment section, “I’m the luckiest man in the world. You inspire me to be the best I can be and I love you. You are great.’
Bindi said the photo was taken just after Chandler proposed at the Australia Zoo in July 2019
Chandler (pictured with Bindi and their daughter Grace Warrior, age two) commented: “I’m the happiest man in the world. You inspire me to be the best I can be and I love you’
The post came hours after Bindi was attacked by vicious trolls for her response to a US farm owner’s plea for help after she lost 99 percent of her birds to bird flu.
Taylor Blake, aka “Eco Sister” on Twitter, sent a desperate message to the Irwin clan last week after she believed her beloved emu and TikTok fan favorite 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 rescue Emmanuel.
The post came hours after Bindi was attacked by vicious trolls for her response to a US farm owner’s plea for help after she lost 99 percent of her birds to bird flu.
Bindi responded by saying she couldn’t offer too much support because the team at the hospital had never treated birds with avian flu, but sent her “love and prayers” to the farm.
Taylor thanked Bindi for the reply, 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!’
But some fans took to social media to criticize Bindi’s response, with one calling it “pathetic” and “useless.”
Taylor Blake (pictured), aka ‘Eco Sister’ on Twitter, sent a desperate plea to the Irwins last week after she believed her beloved emu Emmanuel had contracted bird flu
‘What a pathetic, useless answer. No effort to help if you’re in a supposedly unique position to use your influence and contacts to actually help her. Thoughts and prayers are cheap. You’re not impressive and that’s being polite,’ they said.
“Thoughts and prayers are nice, but isn’t there someone you could recommend since your family has been in this business for years?” another agreed.
A third person wrote: ‘So you don’t know anyone in your network who could help? You might think it wouldn’t be hard for you to ask around or spread the word in hopes that someone with the right experience will come forward, instead of writing this form letter and pretending you care. ‘
Bindi responded by saying she couldn’t offer too much support because the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital team had never treated birds with avian flu but sent her ‘love and prayers’ to the farm
While some fans criticized Bindi, others praised her for her response to Taylor.
“I’m sure the reaction alone raised the spirit of recovery for Emmanuel. That’s all you could hope for,” said one supporter.
“I think it’s so cool that Bindi Irwin replied. I’m still praying for Emmanuel,” another agreed.
‘Thank you, Irwins. We are all [praying] for Emmanuel. He is much loved all over the world,” wrote a third.
Some fans took to social media to label Bindi’s response as ‘pathetic and useless’
Taylor has shared the story of her ailing emu Emmanuel on social media since her South Florida farm was hit by the epidemic.
She explained that she had lost every chicken and duck, as well as many geese, turkeys and swans.
Taylor sent a desperate plea to the Irwin clan after she thought Emmanuel had caught the flu; however, he later tested negative for the virus.
While some fans criticized 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 now looking at you in utter despair,” she tweeted.
“I need help saving my emu, Emmanuel. I’ll pay to fly someone over 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 hit by the epidemic. She thought her beloved bird Emmanuel was the last bird to get the flu, prompting Taylor to send a desperate plea to the Irwin clan
Bindi replied, “Thank you so much for getting in touch.”
“Although our Wildlife Hospital has treated more than 100,000 animals, including emus, we have never treated an emu with this particular disease,” she added.
‘We will have to call on our fellow animal experts with more experience with this bird flu.’
Taylor Blake is pictured with her beloved pet emu
Bindi continued: ‘Our hearts are with you and we appreciate that you care so much and have such compassion for dear Emmanuel.
“We believe that we should all have love for each individual animal.
“We hope someone with more experience in their area can help. Sending love and light your way from all our family.’
Bindi (center, with her mother Terri Irwin, left and brother Robert, right) replied, “Thank you so much for the contact. Although our Wildlife Hospital has treated over 100,000 animals, including emus, we have never treated an emu with this particular disease.”
Taylor has since revealed that Emmanuel tested negative for bird flu and she believes her beloved bird got sick from stress instead.
‘Emmanuel Todd Lopez tested negative for bird flu in 2 separate labs, smear, faecal and blood. He does not have the virus and is not actively spreading the virus,” she tweeted.
“We think this was all a result of stress. Emus are very sensitive to stress. He was incredibly overwhelmed with the state coming in and euthanizing our herd. (Although it was necessary, it was still very stressful for him) He stopped eating the day they were depopulated.”
Bindi is the daughter of Steve Irwin, who died on September 4, 2006 at the age of 44 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming a documentary in Batt Reef, Queensland.