Moose Facts

• Confirming the Existence of Moose in N.Z.
• Tahr Behavioural Study
  also
• Wapiti Economic Impact Study

The Fiordland moose project is divided into three main tasks.

• Investigation of Moose Ecology & Status
• To Document Moose History in New Zealand
• Camera Project

Investigation of Moose Ecology & Status

To learn how moose live in Fiordland - seasonal movements, food and habitat preferences.
Eventually to have sufficient data to estimate numbers, population trends and the limits of moose range.
Methods:
Initially concentrating our research in a single "study area" (Herrick Creek, Wet Jacket Arm) then expanding the boundaries using acquired knowledge: by field recognition and interpreting moose "sign" (eg., browsing evidence), by DNA analysis of material (eg., hair, pellets), by volunteer surveys and any other means at our disposal.
Results:
Intensive efforts from 1992 to the present time, representing some 600 person-days in the field by Ken and Marg Tustin over all seasons have given a good idea of seasonally preferred food and a modest account of moose movements.

DNA confirmation that moose are indeed still alive and well in 2000. Jamie Ward of Genomz, AgResearch, with the moose hair sample from Dusky Sound.

Moose remain extremely rare and 30-day searches frequently reveal no recent traces.
With such rarity seasonal patterns of movement have been difficult to assess. Estimates of numbers must await definition of the boundaries of moose range as historic records show that moose at times have been well outside the present likely "core" area of Dusky Sound -Wet Jacket Arm.
Even Herrick Creek, with no shortage of good habitat and forage, has only occasional moose presence and then only for short periods. DNA analysis has the best potential to help ensure field sign identification is accurate and eventually to individually identify particular moose.
NZWT is working with experts to achieve this worthwhile objective.

To Document Moose History in New Zealand

There has always been a "culture of secrecy" about moose in Fiordland and few published records exist. However, contacts with moose by fisherman, hunters, surveyors, pilots and others over the years represent a wealth of unwritten history that deserves recording.
Objectives:
To collect unpublished accounts from people who have encountered moose and build an authoritative historic record.

Methods:
Personal interviews and family recollections.

Camera Project

Objectives:
To continue efforts to photograph Fiordland moose with the purpose of capturing public attention and awareness and using the interest so gained a tool to drive NZWRT's educational and other messages about wilderness, wildlife and adventure.

Video frame taken-Herrick Creek in July 1995

Methods:
Self-triggering video and still cameras.

Results:
Results:
From 1994 to the present time about 5000 camera-days have yielded about 2000 records of red deer and one probable female moose. The shot pictured was taken in July 1995. It is a single frame enlargement from a video clip taken by a camera on "time-lapse" mode, hence sharpness and clarity is compromised. The same event recorded a few seconds of the animal moving, visible rearward from the shoulder. The gait, size, shape, colour and stance are unlike that of a red deer, but typically moose-like.
There are only two possibilities of the identity of this animal: moose or red deer.
What do you think? The challenge to better this photo remains!