Falkland Islands wolf

Henry Whiteman, native of Great Britain, aged 18 years, and Samuel Profit, native of New Providence, U. S., aged 24 years, state:—“That on the 18th or 28th of December 1840, they left the American brigantine Enterprize, John Green, master, in company with another seaman named John Bray; that, to the best of their knowledge, they landed with the brigantine’s dinghy in Queen Charlotte’s Sound, West Falkland; that the cause of their leaving the said brigantine was discontent at their treatment; that John Bray, after various disagreements amongst themselves, separated from them about two and a half months after their landing; that they subsisted on the wild fowl of the island, seals, roots of the tussock (daily), and the berries of the heather; that they were healthy and did not experience any very severe weather (in comparison with the winters in the United States); that, with the exception of two days, they ate their victuals raw, being unable to procure fire; that at times they were attacked by the warrahs or foxes, and killed 12 of them.”

When they were brought on board H. M. ketch Sparrow, at White Rock Harbour, they were in a good state of health, but from the middle downwards were without clothing, and the upper parts were barely covered with rags.

Wanted to know if any one on the Islands has a skin of the native fox and if so if they would sell it and the price? Also if any one can inform the Editor when and where the last wild fox was killed on the East Falklands and the same with regard to the fox on the West Falklands. Also if any person has got or could get the skull of one of them.

Port Edgar. August 31st, 1894.

Dear Sir,

On seeing in the Magazine that you would like to know when the last fox was killed, the last one to my knowledge, I think it was in the year 1873 or ’74, was killed by Mr. Edward Packe in Fox Bay. A man by the name of John Dack and myself went out to kill beef as they were all wild cattle in those days. We killed a cow down by Gun Hill and returned home with the beef, arriving about two o’clock in the morning. When Mr. Edward Packe went out in the morning he saw a fox going into the hen house so went into the house and got his rifle and fired at the fox and broke its fore leg, he then hit it with the butt end of the rifle and broke it, as he had no more bullets. This fox is supposed to have come across our tracks and followed them, I have helped to kill plenty in White Rock, but that is the last one. I am almost sure it was in 1874.

I will enclose a threepenny piece, dated 1874, that I found in a bull’s stomach, I send it to let you see it and will you please send it back to me, if it is any use for the Magazine I will tell you all about it.

I remain, yours truly,

E. J. Smith.

We have written for particulars of threepenny bit which we received safely.—Editor.

Sir,

In reply to your query about the foxes—the last fox killed in the West Falklands to my knowledge, was killed in Fox Bay, west side, in the early part of the year 1874. That was the last one I either saw or heard of, possibly some may have been seen later, in some other part.

I remain, Sir, yours sincerely.

Thomas H. Butler.

West Fox Bay. September 1st, 1894.

Sir,

The last fox killed out here was shot outside the old cook-house door at West Fox Bay, which used to be the Station dwelling house, in February 1873.

A Witness.