Reality TV Contestant Apologizes for Killing and Eating Protected New Zealand Bird Species

A reality TV show contestant, Spencer Jones, killed and consumed a large, flightless weka during filming of "Race to Survive: New Zealand". The weka is a protected species in mainland New Zealand, listed as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's red list. According to reports, the penalty for killing one can be up to two years' imprisonment or a fine of nearly $600,000. Jones has apologized for "disrespecting New Zealand", and officials from the New Zealand Department of Conservation have sent written warnings to the show's producers.