FALCON POWERS – The cassowary, a bird known for its Velociraptor-like claws, piercing eyes, and blue neck, which inhabits the tropical forests of northern Australia, is facing the risk of extinction as its current wild population is limited to just a few thousand.
Peter Rolls, the head of a local group providing protection for these endangered birds, calls them “living dinosaurs”.
It is preferred to observe these human-sized birds with sharp 10-centimeter claws from a distance. Cassowaries fiercely defend their territories, emitting a loud whistle and call when faced with any threat. Rolls says, “When you look at them face-to-face for the first time, it can be quite frightening, as their eyes are large and their gaze is piercing,” noting that “their appearance leaves an impression of them being aggressive.”
These flightless birds are found only in Australia, specifically on the island of New Guinea and some Pacific islands.
The Australian government has classified them as a threatened species, indicating that their current wild population is around 4,500 birds. Cassowaries are “keystone species,” playing a crucial role in preserving biodiversity and dispersing seeds in the tropical rainforests. The rainforests would be affected if these birds were to become extinct.
Rolls says, “If we can save the cassowary, we can also save enough of its habitat to keep many other species alive.”
Rolls’ group is intensifying efforts to rescue these birds, which can grow up to 1.5 meters tall and weigh up to 75 kilograms. The group members are working on installing signs urging drivers to slow down, reorganizing roads to better protect natural habitats, and managing a hospital for injured birds.
The main threats facing cassowaries are vehicle collisions, habitat loss, dog attacks, and climate change.
Rolls emphasizes that “the cassowary is not aggressive when treated well,” noting the very few human fatalities attributed to this species.
In 1926, a young Australian was killed after being chased by one of these birds and having his jugular vein severed, while in 2019, a man in Florida was killed in an attack by a cassowary he was keeping as a pet.
“They are naturally ill-tempered” –
