PETA Anti-Mario Campaign Was a Joke?

If you've been keeping up with Mario news recently, you might have noticed that PETA has made a campaign against Mario wearing a Tanooki suit, saying that it encourages fur trade for Tanookis in Japan.

Of course, most people who have read about this are just thinking "It's just Mario, a game. How could it encourage fur trade?" Well, PETA responded today stating-

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.

But still, I thought this whole venture was a bit mean to Mario!