A big achievement for the San Diego Zoo was receiving the first kiwi in the Western Hemisphere, as a gift from the New Zealand government. A local chapter of The Kiwis, a group of former American Airlines hostesses, donated funds to build an exhibit for this special bird. Because it is difficult to determine the sex of young birds, this one was thought to be female, and named Belle in honor of Belle Benchley. However, much to everyone's chagrin, this Belle later had to be renamed Benjamin!