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The most recent sighting however caught world media attention. On January 20 1993 three companions, Paddy Freaney, Sam Waby and Rochelle Rafferty were tramping in the Craigieburn Range. Mr. Waby stopped at a stream for a drink. Paddy Freaney’s attention was drawn to a large bird nearby watching them. Freaney drew the attention of his companions to the bird, which then panicked and fled. Freaney gave chase with camera in hand and at an estimated 35 metres got the now famous photo of the bird; he also discovered and photographed, after loosing sight of it, wet bird footprints on a rock.

These photographs were shown to a Department of Conservation Officer who expressed the opinion that the bird looked very much like Megapteryx didinus, a sub-alpine species of moa know to have inhabited the South Island.

Computer analysis was carried out on the photo by Canterbury University. Specialists at the University expressed the view that the photo was of a genuine large bird and not some prop stage to look like one. Deer and other four-footed animals were also ruled out.

To add to the weight of evidence in support of the photo being genuine, the following year, 1994, a doctor was tramping in the same area the photo was taken. He came across browsing damage that was consistent with what is known of Moa feeding habits.

In light of the evidence the Department of Conservation made no move to follow up on what surely would have been the find of the century.

Is the Moa extinct?

Perhaps in some of New Zealand’s isolated areas - and there are still a few - the species may still hold a tenuous grasp on existence. The sad fact is if it was discovered how easy it would be to finish what was started in those Maori middens hundreds of years ago.