Steve Irwin cartoon welcoming animals from Australia bushfires is breaking hearts on the internet
A cartoon showing Steve Irwin welcoming animals killed in the raging Australia bushfires with open arms is touching hearts during this difficult time.
The bittersweet illustrations are the work of Shania-Mae Sturm II, also known as Sketchy Koala on Facebook and Instagram. Sturm is from Australia and now lives in Georgia. She posted the cartoons on social media shortly after hearing about the devastation happening in her home country.
In the sketch, the late Steve Irwin is seen bending down on one knee and holding his arms open to a group of koalas, kangaroos, and other Australian animals.
"Don't worry little guys! I'll take care of you!" he says.
"This little tribute drawing goes to all the innocent animals caught in the blazes across my home country," Sturm wrote on Facebook. "It breaks my heart to see it’s still going on but there’s only so much that can be done to keep it from spreading."
The images have been shared over 32,000 times.
"Actually made me cry," Facebook user Lisa Boyce commented. "I love Steve Irwin and still can’t believe he’s gone. Our loss of animals is so truly heartbreaking."
MORE NEWS: Baby koala born at Miami Zoo, named 'Hope' to show support for Australian wildlifes
The touching cartoon even got the attention of Irwin's daughter, Bindi, who wrote, "This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing."
Sturm says she appreciates all the love and support she's been receiving from around the globe.
MORE NEWS: Calling all knitters: NC rescue group to donate homemade nests to Australia
"I hope all the animals who couldn’t make it are now in heaven with Steve Irwin, being taken care of, and not having a care in the world or memory of how they got there. Rest In Peace fuzzy babies, we will miss you."
MORE NEWS: Bindi Irwin and family have treated more than 90,000 animals hurt in Australia wildfires