Heartwrenching Cartoon Depicts Late Australian Icon Welcoming Bushfire Animals Into Heaven

Jan 13, 2020 by apost team

Tasteful empathy is a special trait that underscores the work of great cartoonists. A fine example of this are the drawings by Australian Shania-Mae Strum. Here is her touching tribute created to help herself and others come to terms with the devastation caused by the bushfires. 

When you think about the wildfires that have been raging across Australia since before Christmas, most of us would find it hard to think about cartoons that could make us feel any better about the situation. Hundreds of homes have been consumed and dozens of people have died. 

Shania-Mae Sturm, a cartoonist from Australia now based in the US, found a way. Once she posted her work, the two-panel image addressing the massive loss of livestock and wildlife became a viral item on Instagram and other social networks.

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What does the late Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, have to do with Sturm's cartoon? It shows him welcoming animals, native species that are emblematic of Australia, to heaven. Seeing him reminds us of his deep love of animals and ecosystems.

Irwin tragically passed away at the age of 44 while exploring the ocean in 2006; he was killed by a stingray that pierced his heart reported The Sun. Prior to his unfortunate death, he was known around the world as a wild Aussie zookeeper whose outdoor adventures delighted fans on the Animal Planet cable television network. Irwin was extremely passionate about nature conservation; there is no question that he would have been crestfallen by the bush fires and all the animals that have perished over the last few weeks.

Steve Irwin's daughter was moved by Sturm's creativity and by her clever take on an issue that her late father would certainly have been heartbroken about. Bindi Irwin has taken after her father; she is a passionate defender of wildlife and ecosystems, and she commented on Sturm's cartoon with a warm sense of gratitude and approval.

This cartoon is a must-see for everyone saddened by the bushfires and for animal lovers everywhere.