Moko Remains
p. 27 · Read in the full issue
on Pitcairn
SAILED from Pitcairn Island on “Rangitiki”, October 27, Robert Tomarchin, headline-hitting “castaway” of Henderson Is.—but not his chimpanzee, Moko, who re mains behind, and will likely end up in Auckland zoo.
Seeing that Tomarchin went to Pitcairn in the first place because he would not depart on “Pioneer Isle” when the master of that vessel would not give Moko a passage, this is surprising. {“PIM”, Sept., p. 20). Even more surprising is Mr. Tomarchin's reported statement that the Fiji Government “encouraged” him to leave Moko. He said that he himself was leaving to avoid embarrassment be tween Pitcairn and Fiji.
He will try to arrange the necessary documents to have Moko admitted to the United States. If not, the Auckland zoo might be approached to buy the chimpanzee.
This seems to be just about the end of the Henderson Island Castaway epic.