Beachgoers in Australia were initially puzzled, mistaking a shape in the ocean for a turtle or shark's fin. To their surprise, it turned out to be a cassowary, often labeled "the world's most dangerous bird," emerging and shaking off water.
The experience mirrored the iconic Jurassic Park scene where characters first encounter a dinosaur, with onlookers expressing awe, disbelief, and a hint of fear as the cassowary strutted ashore.
Cassowary's Unusual Water Adventure Stuns Onlookers in Bingil Bay
The reported sighting of the cassowary, submitted to Queensland's Department of Environment and Science (QDES) on October 31, has garnered viral attention since then.
Cassowaries, known for their prehistoric appearance, formidable height, and powerful legs with clawed feet, are recognized for their potential to inflict serious harm. Typically cautious around humans, these flightless birds are not prone to attack unless provoked.
The revelation of a southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) in the water has surprised many, as it is not widely known that cassowaries can swim. Wildlife officer Stephen Clough from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service explained that cassowaries swim to cross rivers or escape threats, such as from domestic dogs or territorial disputes with other cassowaries.
The footage of the cassowary swimming offshore, approximately 200 meters from Bingil Bay, astonished onlookers, and campground host Nikita McDowell recounted the bird's exhaustion as it stood under a tree, its legs shaking, after emerging from the ocean.
According to McDowell, the cassowary may have entered the ocean around south Mission Beach and, caught by the current or in a rip, ended up in Bingil Bay. The circumstances surrounding the bird's aquatic adventure remain uncertain, adding to the astonishment of the onlookers and wildlife experts alike.
Cassowary Coast: Cultural Significance and Conservation Challenges
Located north of Mission Beach in tropical north Queensland, Bingil Bay is often referred to as the 'Cassowary Coast,' named after the significant bird in the region. The traditional owners, who consider the area Djiru Country, call the cassowary "goondoi."
This bird holds cultural importance for the First Nations people, contributing to rainforest tree propagation through its digestive system. With only around 4,000 cassowaries left in Queensland, the species is endangered, facing threats like vehicle strikes and dog attacks.
Despite their potentially perilous reputation, cassowaries are crucial to the ecosystem. They are one of two bird species, alongside ostriches, known to have caused human deaths by physical attack. A 2006 review of cassowary attacks revealed that 75% were a result of humans feeding them, a practice strongly discouraged.
What To Do When You When You Come Across a Cassowary
The QDES offers advice on encountering cassowaries: never approach them, especially if they have chicks, and never feed them as it is illegal and has caused cassowary deaths.
Proper waste disposal and secure compost bins are recommended to prevent attracting cassowaries. Caution is advised when driving in cassowary territory, and stopping to observe them on the road is discouraged.
More so, keep dogs restrained, and if facing a cassowary, maintain a safe distance, avoid feeding, and use items like backpacks as a barrier if necessary. The recent discovery of a swimming cassowary in Bingil Bay adds an unexpected aspect to understanding these unique creatures.
RELATED ARTICLE: Humans in New Guinea May Have Hatched, Raised Cassowaries 18,000 Years Ago
Check out more news and information on Birds in Science Times.
