When the Maori first arrived in New Zealand, around 1000, it was home to unique fauna like the kiwi and the giant haast eagle. Perhaps the most well known animal, though, is the Moa. Ranging in size from a large turkey to individuals over 13 feet in height, Moas were flightless birds found only in the New Zealand archipelago. A few centuries after the arrival of the Maori all 11 species were declared extinct. Nonetheless, a few historical sightings may suggest they've survived longer then science accepts.
In the 1840s Australian bird painter John Gould noted reports of a large kiwi-like bird from sealers on the Middle and South Island of New Zealand. Known as the Fireman after its call, it is said to be about 3 feet in height and to have spurred feet. Now spurred feet are not a characteristic found in kiwis, but are known from the turkey-sized Upland Moa (Megalapteryx didius). Could the Fireman be surviving Upland Moas which were originally thought to be extinct in the 1500s?
In 1978 a Japanese scientific research team journeyed to Fjordland, South Island to see if the Upland Moa could still be found there. Armed with a recording of the Moa's voice made by computers using fossilized remains. After sending out a number of calls no return call was made.
On January 20, 1993, Paddy Freaney along with two companions claim to have sighted and photographed a 6 foot bird in the Craigieburn Range they insist is a Moa. From Freaney's reports they came upon the bird while hiking, it was said to be a large bird with a long erect neck ending in a small head, covered with reddish-brown feathers down to the knees, with bare thick legs. As the bird ran across a stream Freaney was able to snap a picture of it from about 130 ft away. The blurred picture of the "Moa" shows a medium brown horizontal body, a tall erect neck, and a head that may be looking towards the camera. After photo analysis was done it was said that the photo could be either a large bird or a red deer. The whole Freaney incident is looked upon as no more then a hoax, but still Freaney insists it was a Moa he saw and photographed.
Searches for the Moa have yet to find any living specimen to date, despite the fact sightings still occur. The likelihood of one of the larger species, like that supposedly seen by Freaney, seems unlikely due to it's size. But there seems to be a glimmer of hope for small species like the Upland Moa having survived. After all recent findings show that the Fjordland Moose may still be out there, so why not the Moa? Only time can tell.
