Be ‘cass-o-wary’ on the road this World Cassowary Day
Issued: 26 Sep 2024
A recent wildlife vehicle strike has revealed a common reality – one of the world’s most enigmatic and endangered birds, the cassowary, is falling victim to road fatalities at an alarming rate.
Wildlife officers at the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) received a call from a witness reporting a car striking a cassowary chick. It was severely injured and transported to Tully Tropical Vets for emergency care.
Following a nine-month rehabilitation period at Garners Beach Cassowary Rehabilitation Facility, the chick was successfully released back into the wild.
This World Cassowary Day (26 September), DESI implores all road users in Cassowary Country (Wet Tropics and Cape York) to be ‘cass-o-wary’ as this endangered species frequently cross our roadways.
Over the past 12 months, there have been 21 cassowaries killed in road strikes – making road collisions the leading cause of death of cassowaries reported to DESI.
In this same timeframe, two cassowaries have been successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild. This disparity demonstrates that many cassowaries struck by vehicles are sadly not able to be saved.
Wildlife officer Stephen Clough highlights the severe implications that feeding cassowaries can have.
“We respond to a variety of cassowary incidents, including vehicle strikes, injured and orphaned birds, aggressive birds, and even birds who find themselves lost in farm paddocks. Many of these issues could be avoided if the birds hadn’t developed an association between humans and food.
“Feeding cassowaries can draw them out of their rainforest habitats and into residential areas, where they face increased risks of vehicle strikes and dog attacks. They can become more aggressive, posing a serious threat to both people and pets.
“It is illegal to feed cassowaries and penalties of up to $6,452 can apply.
“Our Cassowary Rehabilitation Centre in Garners Beach can hold up to 9 birds at a time. We currently have 4 in rehabilitation for release. Unfortunately, many of the birds involved in road strikes are killed in the incident, or sustain such severe injuries that they can’t be saved and need to be humanely euthanised.
“Cassowaries play a crucial role in distributing seeds from native rainforest trees, and by leaving them to do their job as rainforest gardeners, we are helping not only to protect this iconic Australian bird, but also the rainforest environment they live in.
“We encourage people to report all injured, sick or orphaned cassowaries by calling 1300 130 372.”
The southern cassowary is considered endangered, and its population is limited to rainforest areas of the Wet Tropics and Cape York.
Cassowaries can inflict serious injuries to people and pets by kicking out with their large, clawed feet. People are asked to Be cass-o-wary at all times in the Wet Tropics.
- Never approach cassowaries.
- Never approach chicks – male cassowaries will defend them.
- Never feed cassowaries – it is illegal, dangerous and has caused cassowary deaths.
- Always discard food scraps in closed bins and ensure compost bins have secure lids.
- Slow down when driving in cassowary habitat.
- Never stop your vehicle to look at cassowaries on the road.
- Keep dogs behind fences or on a leash.