MYSTERY ANIMAL

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6804, 7 January 1929, Page 4

MYSTERY ANIMAL

LIKE PROWN BEAR, WITH LONG YELLOW TAIL A zoological discovery madejby a New Guinea prospector nam ®*L reth in the mountains above Edie, con firms the report made two yearsi ago by R. M. Glasson of the existence of a large carnivorous animaL probably 3 Glasson saw tracks like those made by a child’s foot, but with only three toes. He followed and shot the animal, which was about two feet six inches in height to the shoulder. T dentition was carnivorous, with canine teeth. The animal was dark brown and had a bear-like appearance. It had a long, prehensile yellow tail. Mackreth and -his native s , came on a specimen, which attacked viciously before it was killed. The colouring was much the same as that mentioned by Glasson. and the animal was as large as a tree kangaroo. Mackreth says that the animal probably preys on tree kangaroos and opossums. He photographed the body and kept the skin. Other prospectors say they have seen the animal, which inhabits the upper mountains. Another discovery is that of the bones of a large extinct animal. They were found when sluicing and. are being kept for classification