Zoo Miami apologized to New Zealand: The Kiwi Encounter will no longer be offered

A clip from the Miami Zoo has sparked outrage in New Zealand.

The clip shows people treating the kiwi as if it were a puppy.

The zoo offers an encounter with a kiwi for $25.

The New Zealand press published scathing criticism.

The kiwi is a national symbol of the island nation and the video has moved people.

A petition has been set up calling for an investigation into the conditions Paora lives in and to relocate him to another home, with over 2000 signatures already.

It said: „Kiwis are our precious Taonga not America’s toys.“, writes rnz.co.nz

Zoo Miami issued an apology.

Here is what they write:

First and foremost, on behalf of everyone at Zoo Miami, please accept our most profound and sincere apology for the stress initiated by a video on social media depicting the handling and housing of „Paora,“ the kiwi bird that is currently under our care. The concerns expressed by have been taken very seriously and as a result, effective immediately, the Kiwi Encounter will no longer be offered.

Although Paora has thrived at Zoo Miami while receiving the best care available, the development of the Kiwi Encounter was, in hindsight, not well conceived with regard to the national symbolism of this iconic animal and what it represents to the people of New Zealand, especially the Maori.

Having had the honor of hosting the Honorable New Zealand Ambassador to the United States and several representatives of the Maori people during a special naming ceremony here at Zoo Miami, it is especially painful to all of us to think that anything that has occurred with Paora here at Zoo Miami would be offensive to any of the wonderful people of New Zealand.

Again, we are deeply sorry.

Please know that Paora is normally kept out of public view in a quiet area.

This area provides him with a special shelter that enables him to remain in relative darkness during the day so that he can, at his discretion, come out and explore his
habitat in the quiet of the evening.

Plans are currently underway to build a special habitat for him that will continue to provide him with the shelter that he needs while respecting and supporting his natural instincts.

It will be developed in such a way that we can teach our guests about the amazing kiwi without any direct contact from the public.

Zoo Miami feels extremely privileged to be the first facility in the state of Florida to successfully hatch a kiwi as part of a partnership with the Smithsonian National Zoo. We are happy to have watched him grow and thrive under our care and are
committed to providing him with the best environment possible while respecting and honoring all that he represents.
Thank you for expressing your concern, love and passion for this remarkable bird. We are listening and will do better to provide it with the respect and committed care that it so richly deserves.

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