Miami Zoo was forced to apologize Tuesday after footage revealed the staff’s mistreatment of a kiwi bird named Paora.
The footage, shared on Twitter, shows Paora being petted by a group of zoo visitors during daylight hours as part of a paid encounter program hosted by the institution. Kiwis are nocturnal flightless birds native to New Zealand, and are considered a national icon and Maori national treasure, the BBC noted.
“The treatment of this poor kiwi at Miami Zoo is appalling. I’m so mad about this. It’s being kept awake during the day despite being a nocturnal species. When it runs to hide in a dark box, they open the lid. It’s so upsetting to see taonga treated like this,” said one New Zealand Twitter user, who shared the video.
The treatment of this poor kiwi at Miami Zoo is appalling. I’m so mad about this. It’s being kept awake during the day despite being a nocturnal species. When it runs to hide in a dark box, they open the lid. It’s so upsetting to see taonga treated like this. pic.twitter.com/IDuq4gNN0c
— Holly (@HollyNeillNZ) May 22, 2023
The video caused uproar in New Zealand, with the Prime Minister Chris Hipskins and the Department of Conservation making public statements about the situation, the BBC continued.
“On behalf of everyone at Zoo Miami, please accept our most sincere apology for the stress initiated by a video depicting the handling/housing of “Paora,” the Kiwi. Effective immediately, the Kiwi Encounter will no longer be offered,” Miami Zoo said in a statement following the international incident. (RELATED: WARNING GRAPHIC: Watch The Moment A Shark Bites Off A Man’s Finger)
The zoo also plans to build a specialized habitat that will provide Paora with the home he needs. It is unclear why he wasn’t housed in the appropriate shelter prior to this situation.