July 02, 2020
Moa bone trade set for extinction
No moa.
Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage is moving to stop the trade in moa bones.
She says since 2010 museum scientists have documented more than 350 instances of moa bones and eggshells being offered for sale.
In many cases the items were recently removed from protected sites, destroying irreplaceable scientific information.
Ms Sage says lost species such as moa remain an important part of the country’s heritage, including for Māori whose traditions and whakapapa include moa and other extinct birds.
The proposed changes would include changes to the Wildlife Act to prohibit the sale of the remains of extinct species, except for scientific purposes or to protect Māori cultural practices or values.
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