“Huntin’, fishin’, and lovin’ every day / That’s the prayer that a country boy prays,” sings Luke Bryan in his 2016 No. 1 hit.
Just don’t own kangaroos.
Colleen O’Brien, the vice president for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), released a statement that calls for Luke to relinquish ownership of two baby kangaroos that he gave his wife, Caroline, for Christmas.
PETA’s official statement is below.
“Baby kangaroos belong in their mothers’ pouches, not in gift bags. These joeys have complex needs, including specialized diets and room to roam—they are not toys and will only become more difficult to care for as they grow older. PETA is calling for an investigation into where these kangaroos came from and stands ready to help Luke Bryan right this wrong and move these vulnerable marsupials to a reputable sanctuary.”
In an Instagram video that was posted on Christmas morning, Luke surprised Caroline with two kangaroos for their animal rescue project, Brett’s Barn.
Brett’s Barn, which is named in honor of Luke and Caroline’s infant niece, Sadie Brett, who died in 2017, houses several animals, including miniature horses, pigs and goats. The Bryans named the kangaroos Margo and Todd and said in a subsequent Instagram post that “they are adjusting perfectly.”
Jim Casey, NCD