New Zealand's moose puzzle: legends and new sightings in Fiordland!

New Zealand's moose puzzle: legends and new sightings in Fiordland!

Fiordland, Neuseeland - Fiordland, a remote region in New Zealand, is known for its dense rainforest and mystical legends. The area has also been known for a special story about the moose for over 100 years. In an endeavor to create a hunting paradise, a New Zealand Prime Minister had ten Canadian moose from Saskatchewan in the southern Alps over a century ago. The animals survived the long journey and disappeared into the wilderness of Fiordland. Although the last reports about sightings and photos of the covered elk ended in 1951, there are always indications that indicate their possible survival.

Hufe drops and remains of hair were found, and in 2002 a hair tuft was identified by DNA tests as moose. Current reports of two hiking groups from Canada and the USA are particularly exciting, which in March a large, dark animal on the Kepler Track, which was identified as moose. Ken Tustin, a retired biologist and hunter, believes in the survival of the moose despite the lack of documentation and has been looking for further evidence for over 40 years. Despite his efforts to install wild cameras and exploring the site by helicopter

moose: a fascinating animal

moose, also known as Wapiti, are among the largest types of deer in the Cervida family. They are particularly common in North America and East Asia, but were also introduced in Argentina and New Zealand. These impressive animals mainly live alone and have striking antlers. Only male moose carry antlers that grow in spring and are thrown off in winter. During their lifetime from 10 to 13 years in the wild or up to 20 years in captivity, moose mainly feed on grasses, herbs and bushes, which means a daily consumption of around 9.1 kg (20 pounds).

also in their reproduction are interesting in their reproduction: the mating season extends over September and October, with male moose together in Harems. Female durations last between 240 and 262 days, and the newborn calf initially weighs about 15 to 16 kg (33 to 35 pounds).

moose population in Newfoundland

While the future of the moose in New Zealand is still uncertain, there is a disproportionate moose population in Newfoundland, which has developed into a serious problem. It is estimated that over 100,000 moose live on the Canadian island, and this high number has a significant impact on local flora. More than half of the fir and birch stocks are already damaged, which was reinforced by the wolves of the wolves in 1930.

Parks Canada emphasizes that reducing the moose stock is urgently necessary. Measures for inventory control, such as the introduction of wolves or birth control, were considered ineffectively. In recent years there has also been an increase in traffic accidents with elks, with between two and five people live in such collisions every year. To halve the population of Elchen in the next five years, Parks Canada is planning a continuous hunting.

The stories and challenges around the moose, whether in New Zealand or Newfoundland, reflect the complexity of living together by man and nature. The myths of Fiordland and the notorious elk plague in Newfoundland invite you to further research over these majestic animals and to understand their role in different ecosystems.