Moose in New Zealand

Moose are not endemic to New Zealand/Aotearoa and are not officially recognized as existing there in the wild. However, there have been persistent rumors and alleged sightings of moose, making them a geographical cryptid (a species claimed to exist in a geographical area where conventional sources say it is not present).

Were There Ever Moose in New Zealand?

It's not that strange to think moose might be in New Zealand, as there were two historic introductions. Four were imported and released in 1900, and ten more in 1910. These moose resided in the Dusky Sound area of Fiordland on the South Island. The population likely remained small, and the last confirmed photograph of a moose was taken in 1952. A 1972 study observed no live moose but did find some signs indicating they were still present. The primary evidence of moose presence is the way they browse from trees by jerking branches downwards and breaking them; they may also leave resting areas indicated by a large ungulate. Around this time, red deer were released and likely outcompeted the moose, leading to their eventual extinction in the area. While red deer and moose are considerably different, a deer might be mistaken for a moose under poor viewing conditions at a distance.

Alleged Sightings

2025

On March 29, three Canadian tourists (Annie-Pier Bourgeois, Antoine Beauchamp, and Chanel Sabourin-Dubois) traversing the Kepler Track reported seeing a moose drinking in a river.
On March 13, American tramper Norbert Nigon reported sighting a moose near Kepler Track.

2000/2002

Ken Tustin collected two samples of hair genetically tested as belonging to a moose, although the certainty of this estimate is disputed.

1995

Ken Tustin took a very unclear video, claimed to show a moose.

References

Tustin, K. G. (1974). Status of moose in New Zealand. Journal of Mammalogy, 55(1), 199-200.