Spencer "Corry" Jones, a contestant on the American reality show Race to Survive: New Zealand, killed and ate a protected weka bird, an indigenous, flightless, and vulnerable species endemic to New Zealand.
Jones's actions violated New Zealand's Wildlife Act 1953, which carries penalties including prison time or fines up to $100,000.
According to boingboing.net, Jones claimed he was "desperate and hungry" when he killed and ate the protected bird.
The Department of Conservation issued a warning letter to Jones instead of harsher penalties due to the unique circumstances of fatigue and hunger among the cast members.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: The Guardian, New York Times, BBC, CNN, ABC, New Indian Express, Union Leader, Newser, National World, WION, Boing Boing, NZ Herald, RNZ, 1 News.