PETA Clarifies Tanuki Mario Game Meant To Be 'Tongue-in-Cheek'

By Colin Tan on November 16, 2011, 8:07PM EDT

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) recently released a statement, and flash game, saying that Nintendo was promoting animal cruelty with iconic video game character Mario, who dons a tanuki costume as one of his power ups, in the recently released Super Mario 3D Land. Since then, PETA has clarified that the game was meant as a "tongue-in-cheek" way to bring attention to the more serious matter of raccoon dogs being skinned alive in China.

Here's the full statement:

Mario fans: Relax! PETA's game was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, a fun way to call attention to a serious issue, that raccoon dogs are skinned alive for their fur. We wish real-life tanukis could fly or swat enemies away with their tails and escape from those who profit from their skins. You can help them by never buying real fur.

Super Mario 3D Land recently released this past weekend with some fans even showing up at Nintendo's Time Square launch event in Tanooki costumes. Let us know what you think about this by leaving your comments below. Comments from the initial report have been rather interesting to say the least.

Here's what RosaAquafire said,

Don't sue PETA. Life sued them and they lost.

And 1sky1destiny makes a rather noteworthy comment about raccoons in general,

Go hug a raccoon, PETA, and see where that gets you!