Moose sighting reported on Fiordland's Kepler Track

An American hiker has reported seeing a moose in Fiordland, New Zealand, which experts are calling one of the most convincing sightings in recent years. Norbert Nigon spotted the animal on the Kepler Track on March 13. Biologist Ken Tustin expressed interest in this sighting. He believes it suggests that moose may still exist in the area, despite their decline in official sightings over the years. Moose were first introduced to Fiordland in 1910, but by the mid-20th century, sightings had become rare. The last confirmed sighting was in February 2020 when helicopter pilot Ben Young spotted one north of Doubtful Sound. Despite this, occasional reports and evidence such as tracks, hair samples, and motion-sensor footage keep the possibility of a surviving moose population alive.