Swimming, but misplaced cassowary prompts reminder to protect and preserve mighty animal

CURIOUS CASSOWARY

Michael Warren

Editor

Email Michael
Last updated:
A cassowary enjoying a casual swim on the cassowary coast. Picture: Supplied
Taking a dip.

A cassowary spotted taking a dip on a hot Far North day recently is a timely reminder for Douglas Shire residents to continue to protect, preserve and care for this mighty ancient species.

Just days ago the cassoway was seen cooling off in the ocean on the appropriately named cassowary coast in the area around Bingil Bay campground.

The sighting was reported to the Department of Environment and Science.

“The southern population of the southern cassowary is listed as endangered under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, and it is important that, sick injured or orphaned cassowaries are reported to QPWS," Wildlife officer Stephen Clough said.

“Cassowaries can swim and will take to the water to cross from one side of a river to the other, or if they feel threatened by domestic dogs or another cassowary through a territorial dispute.

“We’re not sure how long this animal was in the water or why it went for a swim but the footage is astonishing.”

“I ran down and waited for the cassowary to emerge from the ocean, and it must’ve been exhausted as it stood in the shade beneath a tree (afterwards) with its legs shaking for about half an hour," Mandubarra Traditional Owner from Mamu Country and Bingil Bay Campground Host Nikita McDowell noted.

Mr Clough said people who live in cassowary country should slow down on the roads, particularly around areas the birds are known to frequent.

“There’s an estimated 4000 cassowaries remaining in Queensland, and they face numerous threats to their survival including habitat loss, vehicle strikes and domestic dog attacks,” he said.

“Feeding cassowaries causes them to frequent residential areas, where they are more prone to vehicle strikes and dog attacks, and it is often said that ‘a fed bird is a dead bird’.

“Residents in cassowary country should make sure dogs are contained within a fenced yard, are walked on-lead, and are locked up at night."

Thank you!

Newsport thanks its advertising partners for their support in the delivery of daily community news to the Douglas Shire. Public interest journalism is a fundamental part of every community.

Got a news tip? Let us know! Send your news tips or submit a letter to the editor here.

* Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments on Newsport are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.