John Oliver's Campaign Propels Pūteketeke to Victory as New Zealand's Bird of the Century
Comedian and talk show host John Oliver launched a global campaign to support the pūteketeke, a threatened bird species, in a New Zealand bird contest. With Last Week Tonight segments and billboard ads, Oliver's efforts paid off as the pūteketeke won the contest with over 290,000 votes. The bird, also known as the Australasian crested grebe, is known for its distinctive appearance and unique behaviors. With fewer than 3,000 of these birds remaining, conservation efforts have helped increase their population.