‘We pissed off the nation’: Miami Zoo
Zoo Miami The official apologized for hurting the public new zealand Over the clumsiness of the national bird, kiwi.
A video shared on social media showed U.S. zoo officials holding the nocturnal bird under bright light for about five minutes a day, in a video shared on social media that was witnessed by New Zealanders and people. It infuriated conservation experts.
In 2019, the Miami Zoo became the first Florida state to hatch a male kiwi named Paola. Kiwi is a flightless bird native to New Zealand.
But New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) staff who analyzed the footage told local media that Paola appeared “terrified” as she was petted by members of the public four times a week.
The video shows Miami Zoo officials lifting the lid of the dark enclosure in which the kiwi escaped and throwing the kiwi into the light. Paola was also spotted indoors under bright lights and petted by staff.
An employee can be heard telling a visitor, “He loves being petted, he’s like a little dog, he loves having his little head touched.”
However, kiwis are considered taonga, or national treasures, to New Zealanders, and they resent the treatment of this male.
One expert told Radio New Zealand (RNZ) that kiwis should “never be handled” and that “extreme care” should be taken when touching the head or beak.
Kiwi Coast’s Naigai Sullivan said, “Nowhere in New Zealand is that allowed.”
DOC guidelines dictate that kiwis should not be removed from their burrows on a regular basis.
In response to the backlash, the Miami Zoo said it was “deeply disappointed” and canceled its weekly public opening with “immediate effect.”
Goodwill ambassador Ron McGill said Tuesday on the New Shuve AM Show:
“There are no excuses.
“If we hurt people, we hurt nations, [through] What we did was never intentional,” he added.
Paola was the first kiwi to hatch in Florida in 2019, McGill said, and from 2020 the public will be able to touch and pet Paola.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Miami Zoo said concerns about Paroa’s treatment were being taken seriously.
“In retrospect, the development of Kiwi Encounter was well thought out in terms of the national symbolism of this iconic animal and what it represents for the people of New Zealand, especially the Maori. was not
“Plans are currently underway to build a special habitat that will continue to provide him with the shelter he needs while respecting and supporting his natural instincts. Developed in a way that allows you to teach your guests about the wonderful kiwi.
“The Miami Zoo is proud to be the first facility in Florida to successfully hatch a kiwi as part of our partnership with the Smithsonian National Zoo.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told a local reporter: “I believe the zoo has taken immediate steps to address the concerns raised.
“That’s all we really want from them.”
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/miami-zoo-kiwi-bird-new-zealand-paora-apology-encounter-b1083314.html ‘We pissed off the nation’: Miami Zoo
