Khaberni - In a unique event, New Zealand witnessed the sale of a rare feather from the extinct "Huia" bird in a public auction for 46,000 New Zealand dollars (about 30,000 US dollars), making it the most expensive feather in the world.
The feather weighs about 9 grams only, and it was expected to be sold for three thousand dollars, but the high demand from collectors and its cultural significance raised the price to a record number during the auction organized by "Webb's" auction house in Auckland.
Leah Morris, head of the decorative arts department at the auction house, told The Guardian that "the Huia bird holds a symbolic status among New Zealanders and the Maori people, and this feather is rare and preserved in perfect condition."
The Huia bird, which became extinct in the early twentieth century due to hunting and habitat loss, is a prominent cultural symbol for the Maori people, as its leaders wore its feathers during official celebrations as an expression of status and prestige.
The auction house noted that the feather was part of a private collection carefully preserved for decades, and that the auction witnessed fierce competition from both inside and outside New Zealand, reflecting the global interest in natural and cultural heritage.
This deal spurred a wide-ranging discussion about the importance of protecting endangered species, where environmental activists called for the sale of such items to serve as a reminder of the value of biodiversity and the necessity of preserving it for future generations.
