thanks for caring and taking this on. Personally I don't think any animals should be in Zoos, but the very least they can do is ensure the animals in their care are not abused and mistreated
Noooo this poor wee kiwi, completely unacceptable. Why did we let them even be exported. And what is the Smithsonian doing giving eggs away to places without suitable enclosures set up? I’m worried for all the other ones they’ve given away now. Are you going to do any digging on that by any chance David? On the bright side, some legend folks in Wellington have just spent about 5 years making an absolutely huge area out the back of Wellington safe for kiwi reintroduction so yay for those kiwis.
I’ve only cried about a dozen times in my adult life. Reading this story was one of them. So despicable. My wife and I already have a “no visiting Florida” policy when we travel, and this solidifies it for many years to come.
Thank you and the good people of Zew Zealand to reach out and put an end to this mess. And I'm sorry our country just completely disregarded this poor birds habitat and life.
It's very concerning that the zoo has no knowledge or threw caution to the wind concerning a money grabbing photo op. It seems that maybe there should be a deeper probe into why they allowed this from the state of Florida and also just across the board.
We have a polar bear here in NC at the zoo and it makes me wonder if the staff has sufficient knowledge of the bear and how it lives. It seems that animas can and are treated more as a source of income rather than being respected for being a living creature.
Keep up the good work David. And the irony behind this and your new episode is insane.
May 23, 2023·edited May 23, 2023Liked by David Farrier
Has anyone been through the nature discovery section at Te Papa? Damned depressing how many excellent birds are under threat or extinct. I really admire people who are taking big steps to protect our amazingly diverse bird-life in NZ. I have a wee fantasy where Jurassic Park tech is used to bring back Poukai/Haast's Eagle (the world's biggest ever eagle) and it preys upon tahr, wallabies, and people who litter.
Also, fun to see that the Pekapeka, a teeny tiny bat, has won bird of the year in New Zealand. Also, they have the skeleton of a anglerfish, almost 10 cm long. It's so small it's almost cute.
Go to the nature discovery section at Te Papa, get depressed, amused, and fantastical.
Poor little Paora, hope our bud gets an appropriate habitat soon. Also, “Kiwi bird” acts like fingernails on a chalkboard for me. Pelican bird? Flamingo bird? Eagle bird? No.
I volunteer for predator free NZ and it's a little disheartening when shit like this happens...it's bad enough when NZ public doesn't get it....but when an egg literally gets sent to a fucking zoo and they ballz it. FML.
Since I heard about this i was enraged. Thank your for doggedly chasing down the leads and getting the concerns across. I am always on the fence when it comes to zoo’s/aquariums. I love them but that is also not how animals are supposed to live. I try to only visit ones that i have researched and that have a firm foundation in rehabilitation and rescue. To find that one of my favourite birds, and my nickname-sake, was being exploited and harmed by those that are meant to protect it (when all it would have taken was a 1st grade attempt at a google search to learn about the Kiwi) it made me sad and angry in equal measures. How does a place like that get their money grubbing hands on such a precious creature (or any for that matter)? And how did they not build a habitat FOUR YEARS AGO?!?
Isn’t learning about the animal you’re interacting with usually part of the encounter experience? What the fuck were they telling these people? And what kind of enclosure is Paora normally kept in? So many questions!
Thanks for for chasing this down and getting a result. Maybe we can all set reminders for ourselves to periodically check in on their progress with the new enclosure. If we all annoy the living crap out of them hopefully their response won’t just end up just being a platitude!
Yep got a similar letter from them after I emailed last night. But yeah, what is any supposedly reputable zoo doing caring for any animal and not understanding its needs from the get ho. Sheesh. Mind guys we need to do better at home. Had a Little Blue Penguin mauled by a dog here in Wellington last week. Found by another member of the public. Dog owners going to the beach and letting dogs run loose is a problem.
Ugh, zoos are so necessary today for conservation but it’s so wildly disappointing when they forget that their animals are living things and not display items meant to bring in cash. I loved my time working at the zoo in Seattle but I loved it because it was easy to see how much care is given to the animals.
Actually, Flightless Bird today reminded me of a horrifying Exotic Animal incident that occurred near where I grew up. Back in 2011, in Zanesville, Ohio a ‘farmer’ released 50 of 56 animals - lions, tigers, black bears, grizzly bears, monkeys, wolves, and leopards. He killed himself after opening the gates to let them roam. Apparently his hope was that they’d eat him? They didn’t, they just escaped into the town and law enforcement killed 48 of the 50. Honestly, it’s always felt like it’s own documentary waiting to happen. It was briefly spoken about in Tiger King, but it’s a huge part of why laws around exotic animals were introduced to the country in the first place. It’s always felt like an undiscussed mass murder to me.
Thanks for your persistence. I actually think they shouldn't have a Kiwi at all, but perhaps that just me.
How the hell did the zoo not know how to take care of one of its most unique animals until a bunch of people complained!?
I’m such a cynical person I just can’t stop thinking about all the other animals currently in zoos that are being mistreated.
I’m happy they are making things better but it’s worrisome that they did it in the first place.
Florida seems very into telling people how to live these days, so this tracks.
I think it only fair that Paora get one free peck at Ron DeSantis' eyes as a mea culpa. (The ceremony would happen at night, of course.)
Can you imagine the media hellstorm that would happen if we reversed this scenario and a zoo in New Zealand let you pet a Bald Eagle for $23.36?
(Also, $23.36? What kind of deranged price is that?!)
thanks for caring and taking this on. Personally I don't think any animals should be in Zoos, but the very least they can do is ensure the animals in their care are not abused and mistreated
Noooo this poor wee kiwi, completely unacceptable. Why did we let them even be exported. And what is the Smithsonian doing giving eggs away to places without suitable enclosures set up? I’m worried for all the other ones they’ve given away now. Are you going to do any digging on that by any chance David? On the bright side, some legend folks in Wellington have just spent about 5 years making an absolutely huge area out the back of Wellington safe for kiwi reintroduction so yay for those kiwis.
I’ve only cried about a dozen times in my adult life. Reading this story was one of them. So despicable. My wife and I already have a “no visiting Florida” policy when we travel, and this solidifies it for many years to come.
They should know not to fuck with the country like this who hosts a bird of the year election.
Thank you and the good people of Zew Zealand to reach out and put an end to this mess. And I'm sorry our country just completely disregarded this poor birds habitat and life.
It's very concerning that the zoo has no knowledge or threw caution to the wind concerning a money grabbing photo op. It seems that maybe there should be a deeper probe into why they allowed this from the state of Florida and also just across the board.
We have a polar bear here in NC at the zoo and it makes me wonder if the staff has sufficient knowledge of the bear and how it lives. It seems that animas can and are treated more as a source of income rather than being respected for being a living creature.
Keep up the good work David. And the irony behind this and your new episode is insane.
Has anyone been through the nature discovery section at Te Papa? Damned depressing how many excellent birds are under threat or extinct. I really admire people who are taking big steps to protect our amazingly diverse bird-life in NZ. I have a wee fantasy where Jurassic Park tech is used to bring back Poukai/Haast's Eagle (the world's biggest ever eagle) and it preys upon tahr, wallabies, and people who litter.
Also, fun to see that the Pekapeka, a teeny tiny bat, has won bird of the year in New Zealand. Also, they have the skeleton of a anglerfish, almost 10 cm long. It's so small it's almost cute.
Go to the nature discovery section at Te Papa, get depressed, amused, and fantastical.
Poor little Paora, hope our bud gets an appropriate habitat soon. Also, “Kiwi bird” acts like fingernails on a chalkboard for me. Pelican bird? Flamingo bird? Eagle bird? No.
I volunteer for predator free NZ and it's a little disheartening when shit like this happens...it's bad enough when NZ public doesn't get it....but when an egg literally gets sent to a fucking zoo and they ballz it. FML.
Since I heard about this i was enraged. Thank your for doggedly chasing down the leads and getting the concerns across. I am always on the fence when it comes to zoo’s/aquariums. I love them but that is also not how animals are supposed to live. I try to only visit ones that i have researched and that have a firm foundation in rehabilitation and rescue. To find that one of my favourite birds, and my nickname-sake, was being exploited and harmed by those that are meant to protect it (when all it would have taken was a 1st grade attempt at a google search to learn about the Kiwi) it made me sad and angry in equal measures. How does a place like that get their money grubbing hands on such a precious creature (or any for that matter)? And how did they not build a habitat FOUR YEARS AGO?!?
Isn’t learning about the animal you’re interacting with usually part of the encounter experience? What the fuck were they telling these people? And what kind of enclosure is Paora normally kept in? So many questions!
Thanks for for chasing this down and getting a result. Maybe we can all set reminders for ourselves to periodically check in on their progress with the new enclosure. If we all annoy the living crap out of them hopefully their response won’t just end up just being a platitude!
Yep got a similar letter from them after I emailed last night. But yeah, what is any supposedly reputable zoo doing caring for any animal and not understanding its needs from the get ho. Sheesh. Mind guys we need to do better at home. Had a Little Blue Penguin mauled by a dog here in Wellington last week. Found by another member of the public. Dog owners going to the beach and letting dogs run loose is a problem.
Ugh, zoos are so necessary today for conservation but it’s so wildly disappointing when they forget that their animals are living things and not display items meant to bring in cash. I loved my time working at the zoo in Seattle but I loved it because it was easy to see how much care is given to the animals.
Actually, Flightless Bird today reminded me of a horrifying Exotic Animal incident that occurred near where I grew up. Back in 2011, in Zanesville, Ohio a ‘farmer’ released 50 of 56 animals - lions, tigers, black bears, grizzly bears, monkeys, wolves, and leopards. He killed himself after opening the gates to let them roam. Apparently his hope was that they’d eat him? They didn’t, they just escaped into the town and law enforcement killed 48 of the 50. Honestly, it’s always felt like it’s own documentary waiting to happen. It was briefly spoken about in Tiger King, but it’s a huge part of why laws around exotic animals were introduced to the country in the first place. It’s always felt like an undiscussed mass murder to me.