Robert Webb: Native bird expert on Paora the kiwi and Miami Zoo to end paid encounters after uproar

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge · May 23, 2023 · 4m

Miami Zoo has announced that Paora the kiwi will no longer be offered up for paid encounters with the public after videos of the bird being paraded in daylight for selfies with zoo visitors went viral, causing outrage.

Ron Magill, communications director for Miami Zoo, told the Herald that they had listened to the response from New Zealanders.

“We regret the unintentional stress caused by a video on social media depicting the handling of Paora, the kiwi bird currently housed within Zoo Miami,” Magill said.

Magill apologised profusely to RNZ, saying he told the zoo director: “We have offended…