A 3-month-old female giraffe at Zoo Miami died after breaking its neck, with officials suspecting asphyxiation. The zoo is still unsure of the cause but believes the giraffe may have been startled, leading to the fatal injury. The incident is described as a devastating loss, and the zoo is closely monitoring the herd for any signs of stress or abnormal behavior while actively investigating the giraffe's death.
Zoo Miami has apologized after a video of a kiwi bird being taken out of its enclosure and patted by strangers sparked outrage from New Zealanders. The bird, named Paora, was also exposed to a brightly lit audience after being placed in a wooden box. An online petition calling for an investigation into Paora's conditions and relocation to a more suitable environment garnered thousands of signatures. The Kiwi Encounter, which allowed visitors to pet the bird for $25, will no longer be offered. Plans are underway to build a special habitat for Paora that will respect his natural instincts.
Zoo Miami has ended its "Kiwi Encounter" experience after video footage of a kiwi being handled by visitors and kept awake by artificial lighting sparked outrage in New Zealand, where the species is the national bird. An online petition to "Help save this mistreated kiwi" gathered thousands of signatures, and even drew the attention of the New Zealand government's Department of Conservation. Following the backlash, Zoo Miami released a statement apologizing for the "handling and housing" of the kiwi named Paora and plans to build a special habitat for him that will continue to provide him with the shelter he needs while respecting and supporting his natural instincts.
