We have reason to believe that a precious endangered Kiwi is being mistreated by Miami Zoo in Florida.

He has been tamed and is subjected to bright flourescent lighting 4 days a week, being handled by dozens of strangers, petted on his sensitive whiskers, laughed at, and shown off like a toy.

Kiwi are nocturnal animals, who should be kept in suitable dark enclosures, and minimally handled. He is unable to excercise natural behaviour, which is one of the necessary freedoms outlined in the Animal Welfare Act. The best practice manual for kiwi states that they shouldn't be handled often or taken out of their burrow to be held by the public. He is kept awake during the day, with only a small box in a brightly lit enclosure to mimic his natural underground habitat.

We may not be able to bring Paōra home, but we do have the ability to get him the care he deserves. We hope this petition can reach someone who has the power to spark an investigation into his conditions, and relocate him to a more suitable environment.

Kiwis are our precious Taonga, not America's toys.