San Diego Zoo opens Walkabout Australia attraction with Māori dancers

The San Diego Zoo launched its Walkabout Australia experience on Friday morning (local time) with a bizarre performance featuring a group of Māori dancers.

The performance angered people who tuned into the Zoo's Facebook live feed, one commenting that Māori were from New Zealand, not Australia.

Zoo staff initially replied that Māori were "native" to both nations.

Commenters told the zoo Aboriginals and Māori were not the same, many said the Zoo should have done some further research.

One commenter, who claimed to be a US-based New Zealand, said he was "sick of" repeated incorrect information about his country’s culture.

He said the Zoo's justification had "offended 4.6 million New Zealanders and about 25 million Australians".

The Zoo later edited its Facebook comment and apologised for the mix-up, advising “our sincere apologies. We were given incorrect information. The various entertainment featured recently in Walkabout Australia is a preview of our upcoming event Summer Safari, which features entertainment from all over the globe. Again, our apologies."

San Diego Zoo Animal Care Manager Steve Metzler said he was not made aware of comments from the public about the presence of Māori dancers at the attraction's opening.

He said animals were his forte but he was aware Māori were from New Zealand.

Images: San Diego Zoo's Facebook live feed at the opening of Walkabout Australia with Māori dancers (top) and kangaroo joeys in the the exhibit (below).

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