TikTok star’s desperate Twitter plea to Bindi Irwin

An international TikTok star has made a last-minute plea for Bindi Irwin to save one of the world’s most famous emus.

A TikTok star has made a desperate plea to Australian conservationist Bindi Irwin, as one of the world’s most famous emus, Emmanuel, looks in danger of losing its life to an avian flu sweeping the US and Europe.

Taylor Blake, whose family’s Knuckle Bump Farm in South Florida has 2.4 million TikTok followers, wrote on Twitter earlier this week that Emmanuel had fallen dangerously ill, while the farm had lost 50 birds in three days to the avian flu.

@BindiIrwin@TerriIrwin@RobertIrwin

I have been a fan of your family for as long as I can remember, I am reaching out to you in total desperation right now. I need help saving my emu, Emmanuel.

I will pay to fly anyone to us, if they can help, no questions asked!

— eco sister (@hiitaylorblake) October 17, 2022

Blake, who uses the handle “eco sister” on Twitter, told Irwin she would pay for flights for “anyone” she recommended would be of use in saving Emmanuel.

In response, Irwin expressed solidarity with Blake, and said “we appreciate that you care so deeply and have such compassion for darling Emmanuel”.

💙 @hiitaylorblakehttps://t.co/Mqwvt5q3qvpic.twitter.com/svbtJkE9JD

— Bindi Irwin (@BindiIrwin) October 17, 2022

But Irwin cautioned that the Wildlife Hospital, which she said has treated more than 100,000 animals since its foundation in 2002, didn’t have experience in treating emus with avian flu.

“We will need to rely on our fellow animal experts with more experience with this avian flu,” Irwin wrote.

By the weekend, however, Blake posted that Emmanuel had tested negative to the virus, and was showing promising signs of recovery.

On Sunday, she wrote that Emmanuel had tested negative to the virus twice.

Hillary Blake with her pet emu and TikTok sensation, Emmanuel. Picture: Instagram

The US and Europe have been battling an outbreak of the avian flu, which the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said has infected 47 million poultry and one human.

Bird keepers in England, Scotland and Wales have been told to implement strict biosecurity measures in order to prevent the spread of the disease.

But some Twitter uses took aim at Irwin over her response, despite Blake’s gratitude over the response.

“What a pathetic, useless reply. Zero effort to help when you’re in a supposedly unique position to use your influence and contacts to actually help her,” one person wrote.

“Thoughts and prayers are nice, but is there not someone you could recommend, given your family has been in this field for years?” another wrote.

Irwin, 24, is the eldest daughter of conservationists and TV identities Steve and Terri Irwin.

She has largely carried on the legacy of her parents, and is listed as the chief executive of Australian Zoo, of which her mother remains chair.

Originally published as TikTok star’s desperate Twitter plea to Bindi Irwin