PETA defends 'Super Mario 3D Land' Tanooki suits

PETA has dismissed comments made about the use of Tanooki suits in Super Mario 3D Land as tongue-in-cheek.

The animal rights organisation recently said the Nintendo mascot's use of a Tanooki suit sends a wrong message about wearing animal fur.

PETA also created a flash game on its website, where players control a skinless tanuki that chases a flying Mario through a stage.

According to the International Business Times, PETA emailed a number of gaming sites explaining that recent comments relating to Mario were tongue-in-cheek.

"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," Shakira Croce, PETA's media co-ordinator said.

"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."

Last year, PETA told Digital Spy that it was "pleased" Super Meat Boy included its spoof character Super Tofu Boy in the PC version of the game.

Super Mario 3D Land is out now in North America and on November 18 in Europe.