MOOSE AND WAPITI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19298, 10 April 1926, Page 11

MOOSE AND WAPITI.

JOURNEY INTO FIORDLAND. SPORTSMEN INVESTIGATE. LARGE INCREASE DISCOUNTED. " My own personal impression, derived from the reports received in recent years by the Acclimatisation Society and from Ranger Evan's experience in the fiord country, is that there is not one-tenth of the number of wapiti in existence that many people believe, nor do I think that the herds have increased to nearly the extent that they are credited with." This opinion was expressed by Major N. McD. Weir, oflicer-in-charge of the Southland Territorial District, who is a member of the council of the Southland Acclimatisation Society. Along with Mr. T. F. Gilkison, Major Weir has just completed a fortnight's journey into the little known regions of the Claisnoch Valley on the western shores of Lake Te Anau, whither they proceeded on behalf of the Society in an endeavour to obtain some definite information as to whether the moose and wapiti were to be found in that part of the country. Continuing, Major Weir stated that they had left Te Anau on March 23 in the society's launch and proceeded to the head of the North Fiord where they had established a base camp. Rain bad set in for a brief period after their arrival there, but the succeeding weather had been good and they had been able to carry out their investigations almost without interruption. The country which they had traversed was very mountainous and hitherto had not been explored. Consequently they had to make their own tracks through the bush which was very heavy right down to the riverside. Few Traces Discovered. Following the course of the Glaisnoch River—a very turbulent stream —they had travelled some eight miles inland and had reconnoitred the somewhat narrow valley for traces of the herds, but had found very little to justify the conclusion that the herds had moved northward from George Sound and had become established in that part of the country. On one occasion they had detected some traces in a swampy piece of country which were favourable to the conclusion that they belonged to a moose, but nevertheless these were too indistinct to enable a definite opinion to be formed as to whether they were those of a moose or a wapiti. That was the only indication that they had had during the whole of their journey of any animal having been in the country, and closer investigation had failed to disclose where the tracks came from or where they went to. Magnificent Scenery. The speaker expressed the opinion that it was very qnesti6nable whether any of the animals had yet crossed the Glaisnoch Valley, but more reliable information on this point would doubtless become available when Mr. L. Murrell completed his tour of inspection of the country mland from Bligh Sound. Major Weir also stated that the scenery was wonderful and was similar to that in other parts of the fiord country. The mountains on both sides of the valley which they had explored were very high and small waterfalls were numerous. The various kinds of native birds were there in profusion, more especially the Blue Mountain ducks and the wekas, and it was pleasing to see that the deadly weasel, which was destroying the bird life at a fast rate in many parts, had not yet penetrated to those regions.