Zoo apologizes to New Zealand for kiwi encounters
A bird housed at Zoo Miami has made international headlines after media reports revealed possible mistreatment by handlers and visitors.
New Zealanders complained to Zoo Miami and local officials this week with calls and emails over the zoo’s treatment of a member of the country’s native kiwi species. Zoo Miami was offering $25 (U.S.) kiwi encounter sessions, during which guests could stroke the bird’s head while in a fully lit room.
The videos, posted to social media, outraged New Zealanders because the kiwi is a nocturnal bird that detests bright light. Following the reports, New Zealand’s Department of Conservation told national media that it was raising concerns about the kiwi’s treatment to Zoo Miami officials.
Ron Magill, the zoo’s communications director, told the Miami Herald Tuesday evening that he and other zoo officials have been in touch with the conservation department and were pained to have offended the island nation. The kiwi experience, he said, was discontinued “first thing this morning.”
“We owe an apology to the people of New Zealand,” Magill said.
The zoo apologized on social media.
“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 presently under our care,” the zoo said in a statement. “The concerns expressed by have been taken very seriously and as result, effective immediately, the Kiwi Encounter will no longer be offered.