In a heartwarming tale of survival and conservation, an orphaned cassowary chick that was raised in captivity for almost a year has been returned to the wild.
The juvenile cassowary was found near its father who was killed by a car near Bramston Beach in November 2023.
When the chick was rescued and taken to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation's Garners Beach Cassowary Rehabilitation Facility, it only weighed one kilogram.
The bird required diligent care, including handfeeding before being moved into a vegetated enclosure that ensured minimal human contact.
Over 11 months of nurturing, members of the conservation group C4 (the Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation) and departmental wildlife officers continuously monitored the bird's growth and development.
In the enclosure, strategic food placement in different locations meant the chick learned to forage for food, developed its wild instincts and grew into a healthy, juvenile bird.
A recent veterinary assessment by Tropical Vets showed the juvenile cassowary weighed a robust 28 kilograms and was ready to be released back into the rainforest.
Wildlife officers chose a release site near Bramston Beach well away from potential dangers posed by roads or human activity.
Senior Wildlife Officer Alex Diczbalis said the release was a significant success in the ongoing efforts to conserve Queensland's endangered populations of southern cassowaries.
"This cassowary's journey from rescue to release embodies the dedication of everyone who was involved in raising it from a stripey to a juvenile," Mr Diczbalis said.
"It showcases the vital importance of collaboration between the department, community groups and local vets.
"The release of this bird coincided with the age at which a young cassowary would typically leave its father's side and begin to live independently.
"It was a wonderful moment, and those involved expressed their immense pride and joy over the successful transition of this iconic bird from care to the wild.
"The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service would like to thank the team at C4 and Tropical Vets for their assistance.
"Every cassowary is precious and that's why we ask people in cassowary country to slow down, restrain their dogs and never feed them."
The southern cassowary is considered endangered, and its population is limited to rainforest areas of the Wet Tropics and on Cape York Peninsula. Cassowary sightings can be reported to DESI by calling 1300 130 372.
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.
