New Zealand outraged over kiwi treat at Miami Zoo

At first glance, the video that has been circulating on social networks since Tuesday 23 May is not very shocking. We see a small black bird, the kiwi, an endemic species to New Zealand, being stroked by an unknown hand. Then the animal is released into a yard, and then quickly moved to a modest wooden shelter.

Thirty seconds of fairly ordinary photos, of which there are thousands on the web. However, this caused a small diplomatic stalemate between Wellington and Miami Zoo.

“Kiwi treatment raises concerns”, New Zealand media wrote on Tuesday Things :

“This nocturnal animal is exposed to bright lights and interacted with by visitors.”

A behavior that sparked an official response from New Zealand’s Department of Conservation, the creation of a petition signed by over 10,000 people, and even a personal statement by the Prime Minister, Chris Hepkins, that ultimately led to the Miami Zoo’s destruction.

Apology for “insulting a nation”

So, call today tea Washington PostAnd The zoo has apologized for suggesting this ‘he meets’ to its visitors [qui était disponible au prix de 21 euros] And she declared that she would put an end to this practice.”

For his part, the zoo’s communications director went so far as to express regret over it “offended a nation”, Which finally prevailed: The bird, its national symbol, would no longer be mistreated.