Reality TV Candidate Kills, Eats Protected Bird

A survival race in which nine teams of two compete for 150 miles (241 kilometers) across the harsh terrain of New Zealand, where they must find food and water in order to survive.

Killing a Wicca is punishable by imprisonment.

In this context, Spencer “Corey” Jones, an American whitewater river guide, killed and ate Weka Rail (or Weka).

The bird in question is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is protected on the New Zealand mainland, where killing the bird carries a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine of around $60,000, depending on the species. CNN TV Channel.

CNN reported that New Zealand's Department of Conservation said that after the investigation, it issued written warnings to Mr. Jones and the show's producers, but did not take more stringent action.

“The special circumstances—the actors were very tired and hungry, in an unusual situation for group dynamics—made us think the warning message was wise.”Dylan Swain, head of the department's investigation team, said.