AUSTRIAN CHAMOIS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1932, Page 6

AUSTRIAN CHAMOIS

THRIVING IN ALPINE REGIONS

NOW BECOMING A PEST.

, CHRISTCHURCH, June 22

Twenty years ago six chamois from •Austria were liberated in the Mt. Cook region and disappeared into toe mountain fastnesses. Now, their progeny is to be found at the head ol th e Rangitata and the Rakaia, and in the Arthur’s Pass National Park. Indeed, one mountaineer says that they have been iseen north of Arthur’s Pass. Thar is placed in the same category as the chamois.

Chamois, in the first place, 's Iqoked on with disfavour because of its penchant for sub-alpine plant life, and growth of important ‘botanical interest. In the second place the annuals, by eating the sub-alpin e grow-.h which has taken ages to become rootel, disturb the shingi’e binding. The.i ag r they climb high and start shingle slides.

Chamois and thar are not looker upon as good sport. There is noth: g attractive in the chas e compared with deer. There is no trophy of i:h« chase. .Moreover, to trail chamois and thar means physical discomfort, and almost privation, out of all proportion to the reward of effort. For that reason, it is difficult to persuade sport-men to get back into th e wilds among the snows where the chamois' and the thar live and thrive so amazingly well on so little.

Mr W. ..Stewart, chairman of the Arthur’s Pass National Park Hoard, considers that what applies to • deer applies with greater force to chamois and thar, which are doing great damage to plant life. Chamois were now in the park. The fact that guns were not allowed in the National Park ted to the steady •a op roach of the chamois and thar closer to settlements. The animals were increasing rapidly, and would become a greater pest than deer. Eleven chamois were lately seen together in the Park.