US zoo cancels kiwi petting exhibit after backlash from New Zealanders

A US zoo has apologized after a video surfaced showing a kiwi named Paora being handled by humans, which ignited outrage in New Zealand, where the kiwi is a national symbol.

The protests were sparked when footage of 'kiwi encounters' at Zoo Miami appeared on social media, revealing the flightless bird being handled by visitors and kept awake by artificial lighting.

Wildlife photographer Holly Neill, who shared a video of the encounters, expressed her shock, calling it 'appalling' to see a kiwi treated in this manner.

She wrote, 'The bird is kept awake during the day, even though it's nocturnal. When it tries to hide in a dark box, they open the lid.'

Once numbering around 12 million in New Zealand, the South Island brown kiwi population has dwindled to just 68,000, according to the Save the Kiwi charity. Conservation efforts are raising awareness about their endangered status.

Soon after, an online petition titled 'Help save this mistreated kiwi' garnered thousands of signatures.

'This kiwi has been domesticated and is subjected to harsh fluorescent lighting four days a week, handled by strangers, petted on its sensitive whiskers, laughed at, and paraded around like an object,' the petition states.

'Kiwi are nocturnal creatures that should be kept in dark, appropriate enclosures and handled as little as possible. The official best practice guide for kiwi emphasizes that they should not be frequently handled or taken out of their burrows for public display,' the petition states.

The controversy even caught the attention of New Zealand's Department of Conservation, which tweeted that it would 'discuss the matter with the American Association of Zoos & Aquariums to address concerns regarding housing and handling practices.'

In response to the backlash, Zoo Miami issued a statement apologizing for the 'handling and housing' of Paora.

The statement reads, 'The concerns raised have been taken very seriously, and as of now, the Kiwi Encounter experience will no longer be offered.'

'Once again, we deeply apologize,' the statement continued, detailing the steps the zoo would take to resolve the issue.

'Plans are currently in motion to create a dedicated habitat for him that will ensure he receives the shelter he needs, while also respecting and supporting his natural instincts,' the zoo stated.

'The new habitat will be designed to allow us to educate our guests about the remarkable kiwi, without any direct contact with the public,' it added.

News of Paora's situation even reached the highest levels of government, with New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins praising the country's strong defense of the bird.

'This shows that Kiwis are deeply proud of our national bird, especially when abroad, and they will take action if they witness kiwis being mistreated,' Hipkins told reporters.

New Zealanders have long been known for their protection of the kiwi, with the New Zealand Department of Conservation launching the Kiwi Recovery Plan in 1991 to safeguard the species.

This initiative involved controlling predators, engaging with the community, and implementing the Operation Nest Egg program, where kiwi eggs were rescued from the wild, hatched, and later reintroduced into the forest. This approach significantly improved the survival rate of young kiwis, leading to a steady growth in their population.