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
