Race to Survive New Zealand contestants ate a Weka bird, disqualified from brutal reality show

The brief of the brutal reality TV show Race to Survive: New Zealandwas that the contestants have to find their own food while navigating through tough territory for the race to win $500,000. While filming the Americanshow in New Zealand, a contestant killed and made a meal of a Weka, a flightless bird considered endangered in many parts of the country.

Race to Survive: New Zealand

The contestants Spencer 'Corry' Jones And Oliver Dev, the two river guides who at one point in the show were considered frontrunners,were disqualified after violating New Zealand's tough environment laws.

One of them has admitted to the wrongdoing and has since apologised for having disrespected New Zealand, even as the country's conservation department is investigating the incident, which it described as unacceptable.

According to a clip from the episode, Jones knew he was breaking the rule but said he made the foolish mistake as he wasn't prepared for the hunger. "What I did disrespected New Zealand, and I'm sorry," he said.

Weka is a heavy, curious and flightless bird that is one of the iconic species of New Zealand akin to Kiwi.

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The flightless bird is considered endangered in many parts of New Zealand. Weka is a protected species and hurting or killing it could lead to fines of nearly 60,000 US dollars or up to two years of jail, as per the Wildlife Act 1953 of New Zealand.

Who won the Race to Survive: New Zealand survival reality show?

The show Race to Survive: New Zealand had 10 episodes and started airing in May.

The contestants went on the race through the challenging wilderness of New Zealand which included,trekking, kayaking, and mountain-climbing in a 40-day ordeal covering 150 miles to win the prize money of $500,000. All the while, they were also supposed to find their own food.

The show started with nine teams, but only three survived to the end, others having quit mainly due to injuries.

Being touted as the toughest race ever conceived, it was won by the team of smokejumpersEthanGreenberg andTyrieMann Merrill.

(With inputs from agencies)