This backyard menace can land you in the hospital! Here's how to protect yourself from this wild encounter!
- Replies 0
As we enjoy the tranquillity of our golden years, the last thing we expect is a confrontation.
Typical confrontation aside, everyone should be worried about wildlife encounters—especially with one of Australia's most formidable birds.
A senior gentleman's peaceful day turned into a harrowing ordeal when he encountered a cassowary, which led to a reminder of the dangers these creatures bring.
The incident occurred in the serene town of Cardwell, where a man in his 70s became a target of an adult cassowary's aggression.
The encounter left him with a large wound on the back of his thigh.
His wound, which extended several centimetres, required immediate medical attention.
After being rushed to Tully Hospital by the Queensland Ambulance Service, the man received treatment and was discharged on the same day.
This alarming event raised concerns among experts and the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) about the growing boldness of cassowaries in the region.
According to a DETSI spokesperson, some of these birds have become accustomed to human interaction, mainly being fed by residents.
This interaction could lead to unpredictable and aggressive behaviour towards humans.
DETSI rangers have noted reports of the cassowary displaying such 'bold behaviour' but have been unable to locate the bird since the attack.
Since then, DETSI has reinforced the message to Aussies living in the wet tropics: cassowaries are wild animals that could be unpredictable.
The recent floods in the area, which have had a history of displacing cassowaries from their natural habitats, could be influencing their behaviour.
Dr Graham Lauridsen, a southern cassowary expert, suggested that the increased contact with humans could be a result of these environmental changes.
However, he believed that the cassowary involved in the attack had been 'humanised' due to being fed and now expects regular feeding.
This expectation could lead cassowaries to venture into human yards in search of food.
As they become less fearful of people, wild cassowary sightings could lead to dangerous encounters.
For those living in cassowary habitats, it's crucial to stay informed and exercise caution.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when you encounter a cassowary:
The cassowary is no longer listed as a threatened or endangered species, with an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 birds out in the wild.
Have you ever had a close encounter with a cassowary or another wild animal? Share your experiences with us in the comments below, and let's continue to look out for one another while coexisting with Australia's unique wildlife.
Typical confrontation aside, everyone should be worried about wildlife encounters—especially with one of Australia's most formidable birds.
A senior gentleman's peaceful day turned into a harrowing ordeal when he encountered a cassowary, which led to a reminder of the dangers these creatures bring.
The incident occurred in the serene town of Cardwell, where a man in his 70s became a target of an adult cassowary's aggression.
The encounter left him with a large wound on the back of his thigh.
His wound, which extended several centimetres, required immediate medical attention.
Cassowaries were then tagged as threatened or endangered species. Image Credit: Pexels/Mikhail Nilov
After being rushed to Tully Hospital by the Queensland Ambulance Service, the man received treatment and was discharged on the same day.
This alarming event raised concerns among experts and the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) about the growing boldness of cassowaries in the region.
According to a DETSI spokesperson, some of these birds have become accustomed to human interaction, mainly being fed by residents.
This interaction could lead to unpredictable and aggressive behaviour towards humans.
DETSI rangers have noted reports of the cassowary displaying such 'bold behaviour' but have been unable to locate the bird since the attack.
Since then, DETSI has reinforced the message to Aussies living in the wet tropics: cassowaries are wild animals that could be unpredictable.
The recent floods in the area, which have had a history of displacing cassowaries from their natural habitats, could be influencing their behaviour.
Dr Graham Lauridsen, a southern cassowary expert, suggested that the increased contact with humans could be a result of these environmental changes.
However, he believed that the cassowary involved in the attack had been 'humanised' due to being fed and now expects regular feeding.
This expectation could lead cassowaries to venture into human yards in search of food.
As they become less fearful of people, wild cassowary sightings could lead to dangerous encounters.
For those living in cassowary habitats, it's crucial to stay informed and exercise caution.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when you encounter a cassowary:
- Never feed cassowaries. Feeding these birds could lead to them associating humans with food. This could result in aggressive behaviour.
- If you encounter a cassowary, back away slowly and put a barrier between yourself and the bird if possible.
- Secure your yard and remove any food sources that may attract cassowaries.
- Share information about cassowary safety with neighbours and friends to ensure everyone is aware of the potential risks.
The cassowary is no longer listed as a threatened or endangered species, with an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 birds out in the wild.
