Japanese in 'moa country’

Press, 25 February 1978, Page 6

Japanese in 'moa country’

PA Invercargill A Japanese film team yesterday shot its first footage in fiordland in its attempt to find the moa, long believed to be extinct. The team made a reconnaissance trip by helicopter to several areas. A detailed study and filming trip will start on foot tomorrow. A computer-produced recording of a moa will be used by the team in the hopes of attracting moa and to assess the response of other birdlife in the areas chosen. This recording was made using measurements from the throat area of moa remains, and other data, which was fed through a computer. That resulted in a sound which the team believes is similar to that of a moa. It will be amplified to be audible over a distance of 500 metres. The Japanese team made aerial reconnaissance trips yesterday down the Hollyford Valley to Martins Bay, in the Transit Valley area, and in the Doon Valiev area. Film was shot in all locations, but no moa reported. General scenery was also photographed en route. The team was particularly interested in the Martins Bay areas where in 1886 Alice McKenzie when a child made a supposed sighting of a moa.

Of the three areas looked at,' the team will select two for detailed study during a nine-day field trip starting tomorrow.