Australian TV personality Bindi Irwin has sparked controversy over a series of photos featuring a red panda named Teddy and her three-year-old daughter, Grace.
Earlier this month, Irwin, 26, shared images on social media showing the red panda perched on Grace’s lap and another where Teddy appears to be standing on Irwin herself.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Bindi Irwin squashes Photoshop rumours with sweet video.
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The Instagram post was captioned: “Meet Teddy. The sweetest red panda with a true love for snack time. I hope you can meet him on your next #AustraliaZoo adventure.”
However, the photos quickly drew scepticism from fans, with several questioning whether Teddy had been digitally manipulated.
Comments included accusations of Photoshop, with one follower saying: “Pretty sure that’s a Photoshop image.”
“He looks Photoshopped into the second one!”, another added.
The online debate intensified, leading Irwin to pen a rare response directly in the comments section.
“I think it’s so funny how some people think that our sweet red panda was Photoshopped,” she said.
“I can tell you with absolute certainty that these photos are 100 per cent real (thank you @kateberryphotography for taking such beautiful pictures) and Teddy is in no way Photoshopped.”
Kate Berry, the Brisbane-based ecologist and professional wildlife photographer employed by Australia Zoo, took the photos in question.
Irwin ended her message: “Hope you have a wonderful day and just a note … I’ll always share real wildlife moments with you. That’s kinda my thing …”
Other fans supported Irwin, responding to haters: “You’re literally commenting on an Irwin’s pic.”
“Why would this page ever Photoshop themselves with an animal, it’s a ZOO,” another said.
The following day, Irwin further put the rumours to rest, sharing a video of their interaction with the red panda, available to watch in the video player above.
“Teddy absolutely adoring his snacks. It’s so important to me to share our wildlife with you and hopefully encourage everyone to take part in conserving, loving and respecting our natural world,” she wrote.
“Plus, it makes my heart beyond happy to see Grace’s JOY with our darling red panda.”
