Big Bird's last stand

[UM-Bot]

Tony Lucas: Cryptozoology can be separated into three classifications: Out of place animals - Alien Big Cats in Britain for example. Previously unknown species - for example Bigfoot and the Mongolian Death Worm. Paleocryptids - those species that once existed but though extinct still make appearances and leave evidence of their continued existence. Creatures like the Tasmanian wolf, the Marsupial Cat and the New Zealand Moa. No animal has had more speculation heaped upon it than the Moa.These birds evolved around 85 million years ago on the southern Super-continent called Gondwanaland. They belonged to a group known as Ratites; the family includes Ostriches, Emus and the extinct Elephant Bird of Madagascar. Once New Zealand separated from Gondwanaland and became isolated it enabled the Moa to survive in a relatively predator free environment, filled with avian fauna, the only mammals present were three species of small bats.Recently discovered fossil evidence further seems to indicate there was a species of both Python and Crocodile which may have included Moa on the menu.This isolation enabled these birds to obtain a wide variety of sizes, from small Turkey sized species such as Euryapteryx curtus to the gigantic Dinoris giganteus which stood 4 meters tall and weighed in at 250 kilograms. All Moa species were herbivorous browsers. They ranged in habitat from the alpine regions to the coastal areas.

The main mysteries surrounding this bird is when did it become extinct, or if it is infact extinct. It has been implied the Moa was already on the decline before the human colonization commenced; evidence from Maori butchering and cooking sites show there must have been an abundance of birds, judging by the wasteful practices engaged in the butchering process. Meat from the thighs were primarily used, the remainder of the carcass was left to perish.This is rather surprising, Maori of old were very conservation conscious to ensure resources were not overtaxed. This was accomplished by oral traditionand folklore; seasons set out for hunting different species guaranteed a recovery period.Even the name Moa is somewhat of a conundrum, it does not appear among theoral traditional legends of the Maori, the term used to widely make reference to this bird was Tarepo.It seems generally accepted that the large species were supposed to have been extinct by the early 1800's, and if not already extinct by then, they had become extremely scarce. However if is plausible that some of the smaller species, neglected as a food source because of their bigger relatives may have persisted longer.The mid to late 1800's produced many reports of large birds witnessed inisolated areas of bush; this was an era of exploration, regions were being opened up for settlement. Many reports focused on the South Island, as gold prospectors and surveyors pushed into the isolated interior areas.One of the most curious reports of this period includes a confrontation between a sheep dog and a Moa, the Moa turned on the dog after being harassed, once the dog backed off, the Moa was witnessed to bob its headup and down in the direction of the dog in what seemed to be a possible threat posture.

1931 and 1960 saw further reports of large birds in the bush of the South Island, in 1989 a pair of birds were observed by trampers, once more in the South Island.All accounts seemed to involve the large species of Moa.In 1990 there were several sightings of large Birds, in the Arthur's Pass district, and tracks were found on two occasions.The most recent sighting caught World Media attention.On January 20th 1993 three companions were tramping the Craigieburn Rangearea, Paddy Freaney, Sam Waby and Rochelle Rafferty. Mr. Waby paused at a secluded stream for a drink; Paddy Freaney's attention was drawn to a large bird which was nearby watching them. Freaney drew the attention of his associates to the bird, which then panicked and fled. Freaney chased the bird, with camera in hand, and at an approximated 35 meters got the now famous photo of the bird; he further discovered and photographed, after loosing sight of it, wet bird footprints on a rock.These pictures were shown to a Department of Conservation Officer who expressed the opinion that the bird seemed very much like Megapteryxdidinus, a sub-alpine species of moa known to have populated the South Island.

Computer analysis was performed on the photo by Canterbury University,specialists at the University expressed the view that the photograph was of a genuine large bird and not some prop stage to look like one. Deer and other four footed animals were further ruled out. To add to the weight of evidence in support of the photograph being genuine,in the following year, 1994, a physician was tramping in exactly the same area the snapshot was taken; he came across browsing damage that was consistent with what is known of Moa feeding habits. In light of the corroborating evidence the Department of Conservation made no attempt to follow up on what certainly would have been the find of thecentury.Is the Moa extinct? Perhaps in some of New Zealand's remote areas, and there are still a few,the species may still hold a tenuous grasp on existence.The sad fact is if it were to be discovered how simple it would be to conclude what was started in those Maori middens hundreds of years ago.

[Raptor]

And there was me expecting a Sesame Street massacre.

[Bella-Angelique]

Man has also helped to bring species back from the edge of extinction.

I hope they do find the birds and help them to build up their population.

[DeathBringer]

Wonder if it tasts like chicken... lol j/k anyways I hope an expedition gets underway to find a live one. But im not gonna hold my breath.

[Scorpius]

Sort of looks like the giant-sized version of the Kiwis. Pretty cool.

[intrepid]

Is there a reason that The American Museum of Natural History and a few other sources refer to the the Thylacinus Cynocephalus as a Tasmanian Wolf? It's referred to as a Tasmanian Tiger in Australia (I am local to where most sightings are). Although I agree it isn't a tiger, it is so named for it's tiger like stripes.

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

[Glacies]

Wonder if it tasts like chicken...

on that subject...if we could, hypothetically speaking, bring a population back of such a creature...could one such as I make a profit selling massive drumsticks at KFM? hypothetically speaking of course...

[frogfish]

I had the seam though T-Nemesis

[Rykster]

These birds evolved around 85 million years ago on the southern Super-continent called Gondwanaland.

Gondwana began to break up in the late Jurassic (about 160 million years ago) when Africa became separated and began to drift slowly northwards. The next large block to break away was India, in the early Cretaceous (about 125 million years ago). New Zealand followed about 80 million years ago...?

[Iorning_Board]

The most recent sighting caught World Media attention.On January 20th 1993 three companions were tramping the Craigieburn Rangearea, Paddy Freaney, Sam Waby and Rochelle Rafferty. Mr. Waby paused at a secluded stream for a drink; Paddy Freaney's attention was drawn to a large bird which was nearby watching them. Freaney drew the attention of his associates to the bird, which then panicked and fled. Freaney chased the bird, with camera in hand, and at an approximated 35 meters got the now famous photo of the bird; he further discovered and photographed, after loosing sight of it, wet bird footprints on a rock.These pictures were shown to a Department of Conservation Officer who expressed the opinion that the bird seemed very much like Megapteryxdidinus, a sub-alpine species of moa known to have populated the South Island.

Does anyone know where I could find a copy of these pictures...

[DaKong]

Interesting.. Interesting... Good find

[Unicron]

If any of you want to see the "famous photograph" of Paddy Freaney go here-

Paddy Freaney Photograph

(just scroll to the bottom of the page)

In my opinion its too blurry to tell what it is, I was more impressed with the skeletal remains of a Moa on the same page.

[Glacies]

yeah, the skeleton is wicked, the bird pic really does suck...and in my opinion doesn't look anything like a moa...

[stormwalkernz]

I believe the confusion comes about due to the fact that there is a Tasmanian Tiger - a form of Marsupial Cat very similar to the Tasmanian Wolf in patterning, however, the Tasmanian wolf is dog like in appearence, essentially a marsupial Dog, henace often I think the two are just thrown in as one catagory. It is interesting the term Tasmanian as both species the Tasmanian Tiger and Wolf were also found historically on teh Mainland (Australia) and not just confined to Tasmania.

Stormwalkernz

Is there a reason that The American Museum of Natural History and a few other sources refer to the the Thylacinus Cynocephalus as a Tasmanian Wolf? It's referred to as a Tasmanian Tiger in Australia (I am local to where most sightings are). Although I agree it isn't a tiger, it is so named for it's tiger like stripes.

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

[stormwalkernz]

As a drumstick would be about the size of the average customer can you imagine what they would cost, roll over Flintstones Dino Ribs.

Seriously though Orstich has now become a fad and I would imagine being a Ratite it would taste very similar.

Stormwalkernz

on that subject...if we could, hypothetically speaking, bring a population back of such a creature...could one such as I make a profit selling massive drumsticks at KFM? hypothetically speaking of course...

[stormwalkernz]

The cuurent theory holds that the Moas ancestor was a flight capable bird which at the time 80 million years ago, New Zealand was still within reachable distance from Gonwana for this species to establish and begin to evolve before its isolation.

Stormwalkernz

Gondwana began to break up in the late Jurassic (about 160 million years ago) when Africa became separated and began to drift slowly northwards. The next large block to break away was India, in the early Cretaceous (about 125 million years ago). New Zealand followed about 80 million years ago...?

[stormwalkernz]

Try a google search under Freaney moa and then click images - there is one picture there I know of.

Stormwalkernz

Does anyone know where I could find a copy of these pictures...

[SparkOfOm]

Do you think people ever domesticated this birds and fought in battles riding them? Could you imagine? That would be hilarious in a way wouldn't it?

[stormwalkernz]

Do you think people ever domesticated this birds and fought in battles riding them? Could you imagine? That would be hilarious in a way wouldn't it?

I think it highly unlikely as they are believed to be similar in nature to the cassowary and the kick was said to be albe to easily disembowel a man.

Saying this it does not mean that some of the smaller - turkey size birds may have been kept, however i think it doubtful as the Maori were more interested in the Moa as a food source not a pet.

Stormwalker.