MOOSE AT DUSKY

Southland Times, Issue 22293, 7 April 1934, Page 9

MOOSE AT DUSKY

SUCCESSFUL ACCLIMATIZATION. FIRST ATTEMPT IN 1900. The shooting of a bull moose in the Dusky Sound district by Mr E. J. Herrick, of Hastings, as reported on Monday, gives proof that the attempt to acclimatize the animals 24 years ago has met with some success. Mr Herrick, who is the only person to have shot moose from this herd, has been keenly interested in moose stalking for more than 10 years, and five years ago he shot his first head in the same district (says the Christchurch Press). The 1929 head had a spread of nearly 40 inches, and was a 5.5 pointer. The present head has a spread of 36 inches and is a 13 pointer. The Dusky Sound block, where the only moose herd in the Dominion—and probably the only one in the Southern Hemisphere—is to be found, is difficult of access, and the country itself is difficult to travel over. Many parties have been into it looking for moose, but though many tracks have been seen, the moose themselves have nearly always kept out of sight. The fiord district is the home of both moose and wapiti, both of which are often referred to as “elk,” though the application of this name to wapiti is solely an American usage. The moose is the largest of the deer family and and ordinary adult male stands about five and a half feet at the shoulder, and very large specimens have measured up to seven feet. The name means “wood-eater” or “browser.” The wapiti, or Canadian stag, is the largest living representative of the cylindrical antlered deer. The moose antlers spread out into wide, flat surfaces, with a series of bony projections. The First in New Zealand.

Attempts to acclimatize moose in New Zealand date from 1900. In 1898 the Hon. Sir James Carroll keenly desired to have moose introduced into New Zealand, and correspondence was begun with the Prime Minister of Canada. Through him the New Zealand Government got in contact with the Hudson Bay Company, which in October, 1899, advised that it had 14 young moose ready for shipment. In January, 1900, these were forwarded from Vancouver by the Aorangi, the animals then being eight months old. Heavy gales were experienced on the voyage and 10 of the moose died before the ship reached Sydney. The remaining four—two bulls and two cows—reached Wellington safely. From Wellington these four moose, which were as tame as pet ponies, were taken to Greymouth, and were ultimately released in the Hokitika valley. The two bulls and one cow went up into the Hokitika gorge and the other cow remained near Vine creek, being seen in that district for about 14 years. The second cow was seen in the Hokitika gorge during the next two years. The two bulls were last seen about a year after their release.