Orokonui Ecosanctuary weekend receptionist Heather Alexander with the sculpture. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHAfter a 500-year absence, a moa has returned to Orokonui Valley, near Dunedin. The bird was a cross between the stout-legged moa and bush moa that roamed the site more than 500 years ago, he said. "I refer to myself as a moa constructor these days,'' Mr Verhoef joked. Orokonui Ecosanctuary general manager Chris Baillie said four to five different moa species were believed to have lived in the area.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 03, 2017 18:45 UTC