A zoo has apologised after "inappropriate" treatment of a bird caused an uproar.
The Miami Zoo in Florida issued a "sincere apology" after a video on social media caused an outcry over the handling and housing of a kiwi bird named Paora.
The controversial video is said to have "offended the people of New Zealand" as the nocturnal kiwi bird was seen exposed to artificial lighting and people were petting it.
People from New Zealand took to social media reacting strongly against the way that the bird was treated.
One user, @HollyNeillNZ, posted the video and wrote: "The treatment of this poor kiwi at Miami Zoo is appalling.
"I'm so mad about this. It's being kept awake during the day despite being a nocturnal species.
"When it runs to hide in a dark box, they open the lid. It's so upsetting to see taonga treated like this."
A petition calling for an investigation into the mistreatment of the Kiwi, named Paōra, collected over 12,000 signatures in two days.
Government authorities from New Zealand also got involved, demanding that the zoo took action.
In a statement following the widespread criticism, the zoo expressed regret for not fully considering the "national symbolism" of the kiwi bird to the people of New Zealand.
The zoo said that Paora is normally kept in a quiet area away from the public, adding that plans are underway to build a special habitat that respects his natural instincts.
Part of the statement read: "Having had the honour of hosting the Honourable New Zealand Ambassador to the United States and several representatives of the Maori people during a special naming ceremony here at Zoo Miami, it is especially painful to all of us to think that anything that has occurred with Paora here at Zoo Miami would be offensive to any of the wonderful people of New Zealand."
New Zealand's Prime Minister Chris Hipkins later thanked the zoo for taking public concerns seriously.
"They've acknowledged what they were doing wasn't appropriate, or wasn't right, or wasn't fair, to the kiwi," Mr Hipkins said in a press conference.
A zoo spokesman told broadcaster Radio NZ that the paid visitor encounter had been "not well conceived", adding "we were wrong".
"We give you our word that the public will never handle Pāora again," said communications director Ron Magill.
