Fiordland Moose

## About

The last confirmed photo of the Fiordland moose photographed in 1952 by Fred Stewardson.

## Background Information

### Alternate Name(s)

Elusive moose, Phantom moose, New Zealand moose

## Classification

### Species

A. alces

The Fiordland moose ***(Alces alces)*** is a highly elusive subpopulation of moose released into Fiordland National Park, New Zealand. They are identical to the North American and Eurasian moose species, possessing a brown coat, lighter tan legs, a shaggy darkly-furred underbelly, a large elongated head and a high stance. male Fiordland moose (or bulls) have large antlers characteristic of sexually dimorphic ungulates, while females (or cows) are antler-less and smaller in size. A bull can reach 1.8-1.9m (6-6.5ft) at shoulder height and can weigh up to 635kg (1,400lbs), while a cow only weighs 379kg (836lbs). In 1900, the first moose were introduced to the Hokitika region in New Zealand however, the attempt would be proven unsuccessful when the group failed to create a sufficient populous through breeding. The last of this original group, a cow, was shot in 1908. Soon after, ten moose were released into the wilderness of Fiordland National Park in 1910, with four being bulls and six being cows. They were imported as part of a plan to create a world-class game reserve in Fiordland and the moose were imported from Saskatchewan, Canada via Sydney, Australia after a lengthy quarantining process. The moose were introduced alongside other large game such as red deer ***(Cervus elaphus)*** and European fallow deer ***(Dama dama)***, which continue to be invasive species in New Zealand currently. It is believed that the Fiordland moose population died out sometime after the last confirmed photograph of the subpopulation was captured in 1952, most likely as a result of the environmental conditions of Fiordland, which differed greatly from Canada. Despite this, many still frequently claim they have seen the Fiordland moose and that it has not died out, but is rather still alive in very small numbers. A North island man claimed to have photographed an individual three times in 1953 however, these photos were actually of a Canadian moose. More promising evidence was found in 1972, when an antler (and some hair) was found and later confirmed to be of a moose in 2002 via a DNA analysis. Sightings and reports of the Fiordland moose still continue into the present, with one of the most damming being the helicopter sighting over Doubtful Sound, Fiordland, when a pilot spotted a cow in 2020.

## Diet

Moose are strictly herbivorous and use their high stature to browse on the leaves of low-hanging trees. They eat mostly woody plants and twigs and have been known to also eat semi-aquatic and aquatic plants. In their native North American range they eat the leaves of birch, willow aspen and mountain ash among other plants. Fiordland is one of the wettest places in New Zealand and as a result, the Fiordland moose's diet is predominantly composed of aquatic vegetation. It is thought that the Fiordland moose feeds on aquatic plants like swamp lettuce and invasive watercress for a season before switching to leaves and bark for the next. Climate change may be beneficial to the species if it still exists, as invasive watercress multiplies and rapidly spreads due warming temperatures.

## Conservation Status

The Fiordland moose is not recognised by the IUCN and could possibly already have died out due to both legal and illegal hunting, environmental factors and natural causes.

## Range and Population

The Fiordland moose likely only occurs in a small area of Fiordland National Park in alpine steppes and glacial hills. As a result of being introduced to a unsuitable environment, the Fiordland moose lives in much more densely forested areas in Fiordland, -not dissimilar to rainforests- when compared to Saskatchewan, where they mostly occur in dense taiga and alpine areas rich with clearings and satisfactory open spaces caused by disturbances. Additionally, the heavy annual rainfall New Zealand experiences in combination with dense forests of foreign plants also damaged the population upon arrival due to climatic differences and food unavailability respectively. Ironically, the 1910 moose population was originally introduced to Fiordland due its extremely wet weather, originally perceived as a benefit to the population, seemingly accommodating the moose's diet of aquatic plants. The population of the Fiordland moose is obviously unknown however, biologist and experienced "moose-hunter" Ken Tustin estimated a population of 24-50 at the time of the 2002 DNA sample. A factor advocating for the moose's continued existence comes in the form of bedded terrain, browsing evidence and antler marks though, automated cameras have yet to rediscover the population.

## Behaviour

The Fiordland moose likely behaves similarly to the mainland North American moose, although if still extant, may have changed its ecology in adaptation to Fiordland. Similarly to other moose species, the Fiordland moose is a solitary animal and rarely forms large herds exceeding breeding pairs of cow-calf pairings. If the moose still roams New Zealand today, the population is likely very inbred as a result of a restricted genetic pool. Effects of inbreeding in moose species has been best exhibited in the subpopulation of the Norwegian Island of Vega, where three moose released on the Island in 1985 quickly multiplied to 24 individuals by 1992. The stark inbreeding resulted in slower birth-rates in females and smaller calves, which are more susceptible to predation and particularly cold winters. It can be inferred that a similar effect may burden the Fiordland moose for the same reasons however, a lack of natural predators and an abundance/increase of food may lessen the degrading factors.

### Relationship with Humans

The Fiordland moose was introduced to New Zealand as a game species and so, has almost always been hunted. Even so, only three individuals were ever shot as part of a hunting season, though, others may have been poached in illegality. Today, due to the moose's elusivity and the fact that it has been presumed extinct, it is seen more as a symbol of Fiordland and the cryptozoology community in New Zealand, capturing the minds of many regional locals and people worldwide. Some particularly intrigued believers have even coined themselves "moose-hunters", tracking the Fiordland moose and trying to prove its continued existence in New Zealand.

## In Captivity

Obviously no Fiordland moose exist in captivity however, other moose species are very prolific in zoos across the world.

## Sources

* 'I spied a moose in Fiordland National park' | Stuff - https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/120030454/i-spied-a-moose-in-the-fiordland-national-park
* The question that comes back to haunt Ken Tustin: Is there a moose on the loose in Fiordland? | New Zealand Herald - https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-question-that-comes-back-to-haunt-ken-tustin-is-there-a-moose-on-the-loose-in-fiordland/654XFNEHUG76VNPTLSFT2V5F5A/
* Man's moose tale turns out to be false | New Zealand Herald - https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mans-moose-tale-turns-out-to-be-false/4GPIVRHSVRT4UGTKQOBPMG75AA/
* Wild Moose Chasing in Fiordland | Cruise Milford - https://www.cruisemilfordnz.com/milford-sound-history/wild-moose-chasing-in-fiordland/
* The Phantom Moose of Fiordland | MEAT EATER - https://www.themeateater.com/conservation/wildlife-management/the-phantom-moose-of-fiordland
* Could an uber-moose take over Fiordland | The Spinoff - https://thespinoff.co.nz/science/18-10-2019/could-an-uber-moose-take-over-fiordland
* Wikipedia | Moose - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moose#New\_Zealand