Living Relic(s) of our time
Living Relic. Kurranji -Kuku Yalanji Mossman to Cooktown region / Boondarra - Djubugai & Tjubukai Kuranda & Cairns region. The Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii).
It’s not often that you can spot this endangered living dinosaur. Who would guess that these sweet chicks and their colourful father - named Merlin by local Kuranda residents, will try to source the story on this! - featured here - a bird species that not only evolved 60 million years ago - is also regarded as the most dangerous bird in the world! Endangered due to habitat loss and predation by introduced species like dogs and wild pigs.
Tim and I were driving along a dirt road near Kuranda as was suggested by our accommodation host that if lucky we might spot one. We drove for a while and decided to turn around and continue to head back towards Daintree, on our way out Tim said, “there..!”. We stopped the car to view from inside, it all happened so quickly..! Some taken standing through the sunroof. 😄😅 At one point the big fella walked right up to the car, Tim’s window was still down. While he seemed more curious than threatened, given they are wild animals can snap unpredictably to protect their young, so I started rolling up Tim’s window so that he wouldn’t get clawed in the face. Luckily they kept on walking into the bush across the road. We were both in awe I reckon, this is maybe only the third time ever that I have seen them 💙 After cassowary chicks are born it is the fathers that raise them, so generally when you see little chicks it will be their fathers who accompany them foraging for food. Fathers are instinctively extremely protective, and will attack any perceived threat to their young, hence if ever seen, the safest approach is to NOT approach them. In this case while we were shielded by being in a 4WD vehicle, we took photos from a distance and didn’t move so as to not aggravate him. I have seen situations where humans run towards them in the hopes of capturing photos, yet they do risk their lives doing so. I mean, look at their claws, they are deceivingly powerful and strong and can take you out in one swipe! So yeah, be casso-wary 😉
Which one do you like best?
