MOOSE AND ELK

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 139, 16 June 1927, Page 10

MOOSE AND ELK

INCREASE IN- FIORDLAND

MAGNIFICENT SPECIMENS ■SEEN"-'-: (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") DUNEDIN, This Day. Since the. liberation of moose about a dozen years ago in the vicinity of Dusky Sound, the eyes of sportsmen have been directed towards that district, and information as to the development of the herd has been eagerly awaited' in anticipation of the uay when licenses will be issued for the shooting of this imposing member of the elk family, which stands about 7ft high at the shoulders and has a magnificent head. Mr. Leslie Murrell, of Manapouri, with his brother (Mr. Burton Murrell) recently visited the locality at the request of the Department of Internal Affairs to observe and report as to" the progress of the experiment. Fxom his intimate acquaintance with Fiordland, Mr. L. Murrell is probably the best-informed man in New Zealand as to the habits and movements of both wapiti and moose. Crossing to the coast via the now familiar track from the head of Lake Manapouri to Doubtful Sound, the brothers shipped their gear on the launch with which Mr. Leslie Murrell works the Sounds, and, favoured with good weather, made a quick and pleasant passage down the coast to Dusky Sound. Here the bridge and some of the upper deck of the ill-fated tourist steamer Waikare, which finished its course on the rocks there many years ago, I is still visible.

A couple of weeks was spent in the moose country, and the definite conclusion was reached that the herd was well established and increasing in numbers, but that it was too early yet to recommend the issuing of shooting licenses. Several animals were seen at close range, and there was ample evidence in the spoor of the cropped scrub of the existence of many more. So close did the observers get that they were able to take photographs of two well-grown bulls—a 12-pointer and an 11-pointer— which were standing jn a stream drinking. Supporting so heavy a head, the moose's neck is thick and short—so short that this tall animal cannot reach within 12in or 18in of the ground—and consequently, enters the Btream to drink, and eats the scrub growing more than that height from the ground. These two beasts were under observation for about a quarter of an hour before they became aware of the proximity of human beings. The knowledge scarcely perturbed them. In fact, so fearless, were they that one of the brothers was able to approach and throw stones to persuade them to move into a position move favourable for a photograph. . ■ -

No damage is being done to the forest by the moose, whose attentions are confined to the scrub and undergrowth. Wet Jacket Arm was visited with the idea of ascertaining whether the elks had penetrated there, but no indications were found, and it would appear that the herd, unlike the wapiti, is remaining in the district where its forbears were first liberated. '

The visitors saw plenty of signs that the axis—the Himalaya deer introduced simultaneously with the moose—had also become well established in the district. Much other valuable local information was gleaned during the visit