Waikato Monster Killed: 1887
Posted by: Loren Coleman on April 10th, 2008
Wanganui [New Zealand] Herald
November 8, 1887
The Waikato Saurian Monster.
Some months ago the Auckland papers were full of accounts of a mysterious monster that cleared carcasses out of slaughter houses, chased children, left peculiar tracks in the mud, etc.; but for some time there had been no mention of it. It appears now[,] however[,] that the stranger has been caught, and shot. We take the following account of its capture from a letter of a Hamilton correspondent to the Auckland Star: — It appears that a native, whilst fishing in his canoe just off the South Spit of the Raglan Harbour on Friday [either October 28 or November 4], observed, on looking towards the shore, a large animal, apparently slumbering on the beach. He immediately gave the alarm, and the natives assembled in numbers on the beach with guns. The monster, on being approached, opened its mouth grunting, barking and snapping its ugly jaws. Rawiri fired at its head and hit him, the bullet taking no effect. Another native then fired and wounded him in the side. Upon [the witnesses’] approaching it, the animal put its arms, wings or flappers in front of its head as a mode of defence, but being severely wounded could offer no resistance: A rope was then fastened round its neck. About a dozen Maoris took it in tow to the Raglan Wharf on to which it was landed by means of a crane. After being killed it was found to be 11 feet in length, and six feet in circumference. It has two large arms or flappers. Its tail consisted of two large propellers opening out like the web-foot of a duck. It was covered with a fine fur, and had no ears, but openings in its skin. It had 16 teeth in each jaw, four of them being like tusks. The head has been preserved. It is supposed to be a sea elephant. The skin is also preserved. It weighs between 6 and 7 cwt.
The N.Z. Herald correspondent on Monday last wired as follows: — The Raglan mail carrier, who arrived to-day, describes the saurian monster shot on Friday as being much larger than any seal, with different teeth, and a mouth that could swallow a man. It roared like a bull when shot, and could be heard for a long distance. The native policeman, Rawiri, who shot it, asks ₤20 for the skin, head, and legs which are prepared for stuffing.
Thanks for this historical item from Jerome Clark.
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WoW! that is quite the story. It would be great to actually see a picture of this creature.
You know whay they say “SEEING IS BELIEVING.”
Sounds like a Southern elephant seal, except for the use of words “saurian” at the top of the story, and “wings” to describe part of its’ anatomy. Then again “Flappers” is used twice also, and would fit nicely with the description of an elephant seal. Considering the newspaper practices of the late 19th century, “saurian” and “wings” were probably added to make the story more sensational.
Actually, first thing I thought when I read this was leopard seal. The size, weight, aggression, stealing of meat, even number of teeth all match a leopard seal (who do have four very prominent canines to boot). I’ve even heard them described as ’saurian’ before, and they do range even further north than NZ on occaison. Not outside the realm of possibility that a big female leopard seal travelled far from Antarctica and made herself at home. Hey, might even explain some of the waitoreke sightings…