The New Zealand Moa (Wairarapa) Traditional Cache
The New Zealand Moa (Wairarapa)
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Size: 
(micro)
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A rare fossil found near Woodside railway station
The moa were 9 species of flightless birds endemic to New Zealand. The two largest species, Dinornis robustus and Dinornis novaezelandiae reached about 3.6 m in height and weighed about 230 kg. The moa were true wingless birds lacking even the vestigial wings which all other ratities such as the ostrich, emu and cassowary have. It is believed the moa died out in New Zealand by 1400 AD as a consequence of over-hunting by Maori and habitat decline before European colonisation and settlement.
The fossil remains at the cache site are a fine example of the New Zealand moa. A close examination of the remains shows that this species was well adapted to its habitat with a strong and sturdy frame and good locomotion structure essential for getting around in the typical New Zealand environment. A close examination of the mouth parts shows a specialised blade like cutting surface well evolved for harvesting the typical grass species it consumed such as Loloium perenne, Poa annua and Paspalum dilatum. This is a fine example of the species Briggus stratonus although other species are quite common in the habitat.
Please treat this fossil with respect and safely return it and the cache to their place of rest.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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