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Short abstract:

In 1905 twenty wapiti were introduction to New Zealand, where they shortly hybridized with red deer. During the 20th century, there were efforts to disentangle the trophy (wapiti) from noxious pest (red deer), hybridize and domesticate the two for venison production, and create a pure wapiti herd.

Long abstract:

This presentation will discuss the history of North American wapiti in New Zealand in the 20th century, and their hybridization with red deer. Wapiti are an exception among the species who were introduced to New Zealand as part of the acclimatization project; where other animals quickly became invasive and controlled by extermination efforts, there were and continue to be campaigns to protect this species and its genetic purity. While wapiti have remained relatively immobile in Fiordland National Park, where they were introduced in 1905, red deer mobilized throughout the country. This paper will discuss a series of episodes in the wapiti-red deer saga: their hybridization in the wild, the failed attempt to create a pure 'Crown Wapiti herd,' and their introduction to the venison market by way of cross-breeding the two species. There is tension running throughout this case study of how (and which) animals should be managed, used, and by whom—exemplified by conflicts in the 1950s-1980s between the New Zealand government and private associations on methods of wildlife management and using wild animals as a natural resource.