Bindi Irwin has been forced to defend herself after fans accused her of photoshopping her latest Instagram post.
The 26-year-old Australian television personality on Sunday shared a series of photos of a red panda on the lap of her three-year-old daughter Grace.
In a second image, the animal is seen standing over Bindi as she sits near her baby daughter.
“Meet Teddy. The sweetest red panda who loves snack time. I hope you get to meet him on your next adventure at Australia Zoo,” Bindi wrote in the post.
However, some fans were quick to question whether Teddy had in fact been photoshopped to look like he was standing on Bindi’s lap.
“I’m pretty sure that’s a Photoshop image…” one follower commented on the post.
“Looks like a photoshopped photo in the second one!” said another, while a third wrote: “It almost looks fake.”
Other fans questioned the size of the panda and whether it had been enlarged.
Bindi Irwin has been accused of Photoshopping a red panda onto her three-year-old daughter Grace’s lap in new images shared on her Instagram page.
The debate became so heated that Bindi was forced to address the speculation in the comments section.
“I think it’s so funny how some people think our sweet red panda was photoshopped,” she wrote.
‘I can tell you with absolute certainty that these photos are 100% real (thank you @kateberryphotography for taking such beautiful photographs) and Teddy is in no way photoshopped.’
Kate Berry is a Brisbane-based wildlife ecologist and professional photographer working for Australia Zoo.
Bindi didn’t seem too bothered by the comments and gently poked fun at Teddy’s detractors.
“I hope you have a wonderful day and just one note… I will always share real wildlife moments with you. It’s something I like…” she concluded, adding a golden heart emoji.
Some fans were quick to question whether the panda named Teddy had in fact been photoshopped to look like he was standing on Bindi’s lap in the second image.
Some fans defended her, with one saying: “Why would this page use Photoshop to include an animal? It’s a ZOO.”
“We saw Teddy yesterday and he was such a sweet little thing,” said another.
Bindi also posted video clips of the encounter with Teddy, putting an end to any further speculation.
“Teddy loves his treats. It’s so important to me to share our wildlife with you and hopefully encourage everyone to get involved in conserving, loving and respecting our natural world. Also, it brings me joy to see Grace’s JOY with our beloved red panda,” she wrote in the caption of the short video.
The debate became so heated that Bindi was forced to address the speculation in the comments section.
This comes after viewers of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Australia threatened to boycott the Channel Ten soap amid reports the Irwins are attempting to take it over.
Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed last week that mumager Terri Irwin could be in the running for a co-hosting slot on Bindi alongside her brother Robert next year.
Although Channel Ten has denied the rumours, fans have rallied with threats that they will never watch the show again if Terri, 60, installs her children as sole hosts.
“Another reason to avoid Channel 10,” wrote one disgruntled Facebook user, while someone else added: “That’s one way to ruin the show.”
The show comes after viewers of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Australia threatened to boycott the Channel Ten soap amid reports the Irwins are trying to take it over. Pictured: Bindi with her mother Terri and brother Robert.
Others commented: “The end” and: “RIP Channel 10, they’ve lost the thread.”
“No way Bindi, let this be Robert’s time to shine. Don’t take this away from him,” another pleaded.
Several others said they would rather see the entire show cancelled than have Julia Morris replaced by the Irwins.
“If that’s the case, then in my opinion, cancel the whole show. I’m sure I won’t be watching it,” one viewer commented.
