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Hunger Challenges Contestants on ‘Race to Survive: New Zealand’ Amid Controversy
Explore the intense hunger challenges faced by contestants on ‘Race to Survive: New Zealand’ as they navigate survival tactics and personal rivalries amid growing controversy. Discover how these trials test their limits and resilience.
Hunger Challenges Contestants on “Race to Survive: New Zealand”
As contestants navigate the treacherous landscapes of New Zealand on the reality television show “Race to Survive: New Zealand,” they face not only physical challenges but also the daunting task of finding their own food. This grueling competition features nine teams as they trek, climb, and paddle through some of the country’s most rugged and unforgiving terrain.
However, the show has drawn attention from New Zealand officials after a serious incident occurred during filming last October. One contestant made the controversial decision to kill and consume a bird that is part of a protected species. This bird, known as the weka, is a flightless creature endemic to New Zealand and is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which monitors species at risk of extinction.
The weka is renowned for its bold and curious nature, often seen roaming around campsites and picnic areas, where it is notorious for stealing food, crops, and other small items. This incident has prompted officials to issue warnings to the show’s producers, emphasizing the importance of adhering to wildlife protection laws.
The show, which premiered its second season on USA Network in May, follows nine pairs of adventurers, survivalists, and athletes as they navigate the stunning yet unforgiving South Island of New Zealand in pursuit of a grand prize of $500,000. Each team is allowed to bring only what they can carry, and the competition is fierce, with the slowest team to reach each designated camp facing elimination.
Contestants are not provided with food but are given the opportunity to take detours in search of food caches that have been strategically placed throughout the island. In a dramatic turn of events, two contestants, Spencer Jones and Oliver Dev, were disqualified during the eighth episode when producers intervened after they completed a leg of the competition, citing a breach of the show’s rules.