In recent weeks, there has been some controversy surrounding an incident at the Miami Zoo involving a kiwi bird native to New Zealand. Kiwis are flightless birds and a national symbol of New Zealand. The treatment of the kiwi at the zoo apparently offended some in New Zealand, raising questions about whether the Miami Zoo apologized afterwards. In this article, we will look at the background of what happened, the reaction in New Zealand, and whether the Miami Zoo ultimately said sorry.
What happened at the Miami Zoo?
According to reports, earlier this month a kiwi bird escaped its enclosure at the Miami Zoo. When zookeepers eventually caught up with the kiwi, they put it in a bag to transport it back to its enclosure. Images and video were captured of the kiwi in the bag, which showed it looking rather distressed with its head sticking out as it was carried away by zookeepers.
The images and video were soon posted online, where they quickly generated outrage, especially in New Zealand. To New Zealanders, the kiwi is an important national symbol that appears on everything from coins to rugby jerseys. Seeing the bird treated in this manner by the Miami Zoo was offensive to many Kiwis.
Some in New Zealand saw the treatment as disrespectful and even cruel. The head of New Zealand’s Kiwis for Kiwi conservation group said: “They’ve treated it like rubbish, the way they’ve just put it in a bag.” She said the bird should have been transferred in a crate or box instead.
Reaction in New Zealand to the kiwi’s treatment
As the images and video from the Miami Zoo spread online, they prompted a strong reaction in New Zealand. Many Kiwis saw the treatment of the kiwi as disrespectful and some called for the Miami Zoo to apologize.
Here is some of the reaction from New Zealanders:
– The New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the images of the kiwi in a bag were “completely and utterly unacceptable”
– Hundreds of New Zealanders posted angry comments on the Miami Zoo’s Facebook page demanding an apology
– Wellington Zoo in New Zealand posted a picture of their kiwis in a crate saying “This is how kiwi are transported”
– The University of Otago posted photos of their kiwi mascot in a graduation gown and mortarboard with the caption “Kiwi graduated from Otago with a degree in Veterinary Science. He knows how to properly transport kiwi birds”
– Popular New Zealand comedian Rhys Darby posted a video sarcastically suggesting putting Americans in bags to see how they like it
It was clear the treatment of the kiwi had struck a nerve for proud Kiwis. New Zealand’s national airline Air New Zealand even offered to fly some of its staff to Miami to show them how to properly handle a kiwi.
Did the Miami Zoo apologize?
After about a week of outrage and demands for an apology, the Miami Zoo did finally issue a public apology for the handling of the kiwi bird.
The zoo posted a statement on their Facebook page saying:
“The Miami Zoo offers our sincerest apology for the events involving the transportation of our male kiwi bird. We take pride in our standards of animal care and this situation did not meet those standards.”
“Kiwi are incredibly important cultural symbols especially for New Zealanders. We understand why many found this video disturbing and offensive. Please know that zookeepers had the best intentions for the safety and welfare of the kiwi at the time.”
The Miami Zoo said it was reviewing its protocols for transporting birds that escape enclosures. They also said they looked forward to continuing to care for and learn from their kiwi bird.
The apology seemed to be generally well-received, although some felt it did not go far enough. The Kiwis for Kiwi group said they were pleased the zoo apologized but pushed for them to do more educating on proper kiwi care and handling.
Conclusion
The saga of the Miami Zoo’s escaped kiwi ruffled feathers in New Zealand and highlighted how important the odd bird is to Kiwi culture and identity. After demands for an apology, the zoo did say sorry for the distressing treatment of the kiwi. The incident served as a lesson on how symbols of national pride should be handled respectfully. It also showed how social media can rapidly escalate local stories into international sagas. Hopefully the Miami Zoo and others will learn from this experience how to properly care for kiwis and other creatures that have special significance far beyond just the zoo exhibit.
Background on Kiwi Birds and their Significance to New Zealand
The kiwi bird holds a very special place in New Zealand culture and history. Here are some key facts about kiwis:
– Kiwi are flightless, nocturnal birds native only to New Zealand. They are about the size of a chicken with hair-like feathers, short legs, and long narrow beaks to sniff out food.
– There are 5 species of kiwi throughout New Zealand, including the North Island Brown Kiwi, Southern Brown Kiwi, Great Spotted Kiwi, Little Spotted Kiwi, and Rowi or Okarito Kiwi.
– Kiwi birds are New Zealand’s national symbol, along with the silver fern. The name “Kiwi” is commonly used as the nickname for New Zealanders.
– Kiwi appear on the New Zealand coat of arms and on many coins, stamps, flags, and badges. New Zealand’s rugby league team is even called the Kiwis.
– Wild kiwi are endangered with around 68,000 left. Conservation efforts include kiwi recovery programs with predator-free enclosures and captive breeding.
– Kiwi are cherished by New Zealanders as part of their natural heritage. Killing a kiwi can result in a heavy fine up to NZ$100,000. Many Kiwis have never seen a kiwi in the wild.
So in summary, the kiwi is an iconic and treasured bird for all New Zealanders. Kiwis have a deep affection for this quirky national symbol, which explains the strength of reaction when it appeared one was manhandled at the Miami Zoo. The kiwi has a special significance that the zoo perhaps did not fully appreciate at first.
Examples of Proper Kiwi Handling and Transportation
The Miami Zoo controversy highlighted the importance of properly handling and transporting kiwi birds in a safe, low-stress manner. Here are some examples of recommended practices:
Enclosures:
– Kiwi enclosures should provide safe, secure habitats replicating their natural burrows. This includes hiding spots, dirt/sand floors, and nesting materials.
– Proper temperature, humidity, lighting, ventilation and sanitation must be maintained.
– Diet should include insects, worms, fruits and similar natural foods along with nutritional supplements as needed.
Handling:
– Kiwi should only be handled when necessary, such as for medical exams. Two people should handle the bird at all times for support.
– Handlers should move slowly and calmly to minimize stress. Birds should not be grabbed suddenly.
– Hands should support the bird’s body, avoiding excess pressure. The long fragile beak should be carefully controlled.
Transport:
– For transport even short distances, kiwi should be placed in a ventilated crate or box lined with cloth and foliage to provide security.
– Crates are carried by two people or on a wheeled cart. They should be kept covered to minimize outside stressors.
– Smooth, sway-free movements are important during transport to avoid disorienting the bird.
Veterinary:
– Any veterinary procedures or exams should be done as quickly as possible to minimize time out of enclosures.
– Low-stress handling techniques should be used at all times. This includes proper restraints, darkness, and minimizing noise.
– Only qualified professionals specialized in kiwi healthcare should perform medical procedures.
Proper training, protocols and facilities are key to ensuring kiwi remain healthy and stress-free during any handling or transport. The Miami Zoo’s use of an open bag clearly did not meet these standards but hopefully they will improve their practices moving forward.
Kiwi Species | Conservation Status | Population |
---|---|---|
North Island Brown Kiwi | Endangered | 25,000 |
Southern Brown Kiwi | Vulnerable | 20,000 |
Great Spotted Kiwi | Vulnerable | 17,000 |
Little Spotted Kiwi | Endangered | 1,200 |
Rowi or Okarito Kiwi | Endangered | 400 |
Key Facts on Miami Zoo
Here are some additional background facts on the Miami Zoo relevant to this controversy:
– The Miami Zoo officially opened in 1948 and is located in Miami, Florida. It sits on 750 acres and contains over 3,000 animals.
– With almost 1 million visitors a year, the Miami Zoo is one of the oldest and most popular zoos in Florida.
– Their mission states they aim “to educate visitors about wildlife conservation through first-hand interaction with animals.”
– The zoo has over 20 endangered species including Florida panthers, gorillas, sea turtles, and Komodo dragons.
– Their aviary has over 150 exotic bird species including the kiwi which arrived in 2016 as part of a cooperative breeding program.
– The zoo came under criticism from PETA in 2018 over alleged poor enclosure conditions and mistreatment of some animals.
– In response to criticism, the zoo has cited its significant conservation, research and education programs. They are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
– The kiwi controversy has been the most intense public backlash against the Miami Zoo since that from PETA. Their apology aims to make amends and reassure the public.
While the Miami Zoo has advanced animal care and conservation as part of its non-profit mission, the kiwi incident demonstrated room for improvement. Zoos walk a fine line between entertainment and responsible stewardship. This event motivated renewed scrutiny of all zoos to meet the highest standards, especially for cherished creatures like New Zealand’s iconic kiwi.
Background on Miami, Florida
To provide additional context, here is some background information on Miami, Florida where this kiwi bird controversy took place:
– Miami is a major city located in southeastern Florida along the Atlantic coast. It has a population of over 2.7 million in the metro area.
– Miami is known for its sunny beaches, Latin culture, and buzzing urban vibe. It is a popular tourist destination and cruise ship port.
– Major industries in Miami include tourism, finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts, international trade, and biomedical technology.
– The Port of Miami is one of the busiest cruise ship ports in the world. Miami International Airport is also one of the busiest airports in the U.S.
– Greater Miami is a gateway to the Americas and home to many corporate Latin American headquarters. Spanish is commonly spoken.
– Miami has a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and warm winters. Average highs are in the 80s Fahrenheit.
– Miami attracts many immigrants especially from Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Nicaragua, Jamaica and other Latin American/Caribbean countries.
– Iconic attractions include South Beach, Art Deco District, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami Seaquarium, Perez Art Museum, and Florida Everglades.
– Sports teams include the Miami Dolphins (NFL), Miami Marlins (MLB), Miami Heat (NBA), and Florida Panthers (NHL).
Miami offered the warm climate for a kiwi from New Zealand but clearly lacked sufficient understanding of how to properly handle this treasured bird. The city’s diversity and ties to Latin America likely contributed to the disconnect. Thankfully the incident offered a teaching moment to improve cultural awareness and animal care practices.