MOOSE HERDS

Southland Times, Issue 20204, 15 June 1927, Page 6

MOOSE HERDS

WELL-ESTABLISHED OBSERVATIONS AT DUSKY SOUND TWO EXCELLENT HEADS SEEN (Per United Press Association.) Dunedin, June 14. 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 day when licenses will be issued for the shooting of this imposing member of the elk family, which stands about seven feet 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 Departments of Internal Affairs, to observe and report as to the progress of the experiment. From 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. A couple of weeks were spent in the moose country and the definite conclusion was reached that the herd was wellestablished 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 11pointer, which were standing in 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 about 12 or 18 inches of the ground, and consequently enters the stream to drink and eats the scrub growing more than that height from the ground. These two hefty 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 more favourable for the 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 dis- ' trict where its forbears were first liberated. The visitors saw plenty of signs that the axis, the Himalayan deer introduced simultaneously with the moose, had also become well-established in the district. Much other valuable local information was gleaned during the visit.