Target: Tama Potaka, Minister for New Zealand Department of Conservation
Goal: Punish reality show producers who enabled violation of conservation law.
An American contestant on the reality series Race to Survive New Zealand recently courted controversy when he reportedly killed and ate a protected flightless bird. Contestant Corry Jones apparently consumed a weka during the show’s filming. He claimed the decision was driven by hunger.
The weka is listed on a red list of threatened species developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Everyone involved with the show allegedly knew which species were off-limits before filming commenced. Jones himself even reportedly said that he knew the killing was unlawful. Despite this foreknowledge and despite the fact that the killing of a threatened species can carry prison time in New Zealand, both Jones and the show apparently received little more than a reprimand.
Sign the petition below to demand the Department of Conservation take stronger measures to ensure such an incident never happens again.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Minister Potaka,
“The unique set of circumstances – cast members were fatigued and suffering from significant hunger, in an unusual group dynamic situation – meant we felt a warning letter was prudent. Nonetheless, killing and eating a native protected species in this matter is unacceptable and the company is ‘on notice’ about the need for its program participants to adhere to conservation legislation.”
A warning and a notice are hardly sufficient to address the alleged intentional breach of Wildlife Act 1953 that took place on Race to Survive New Zealand. The producers of this show knew the rules and had a responsibility to enforce the rules. Their permit depended on it. If they breached this agreement, then the permit enabling them to utilize public conservation lands should be revoked immediately.
Prioritize protecting the defenseless animals that make up the unique ecosystems of this land.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: JJ Harrison
This is unacceptable and those responsible in killing this innocent, protected bird need to be fully held accountable. Their actions warrant much more than a mere slap on the wrist!
Maximum fine for production company, studio, broadcasting channel and the turd who ate the bird. No excuses. And no excuse for the turd who was “driven by hunger”; is he too inbred to have heard of fruit? Doh
Reality shows can be disgusting. To have someone come on the show, kill, and then eat a protected bird makes this government laughable.
All involved must be punished. How would the show feel if instead of the bird, the host of the show was done to in the same manner? Acceptable? NO!
The studio, the host, all members of cast and crew, the owner of the studio, and the vile man need to be prosecuted to the letter of the law. The bird also has rights under the law. A Protected bird is protected. All these people and companies need to be thrown in jail for various times to be involved intros type if horror.n Leave no-one free as they will return if you do.
A real-life solution would be…everyone STOP WATCHING/SUPPORTING all these staged “reality” shows! Hit corrupt “Hollywood” where it counts – in the pocketbook!! No or low demand = no MARKET for them. Idiotic “consumers” ALSO need to learn a lesson and take BACK control of what’s monetizing these corporations, and brainwashing the viewers of all this trash!
I hate these stupid reality shows. Animals should not suffer for f-ing human entertainment!!!!!