Community & Business
20 May, 2022
Cassowaries on the move
MOTORISTS travelling the Kennedy highway between Ravenshoe and Atherton are being urged to be on the lookout for two adult cassowaries and two chicks.
A Facebook post warned motorists to slow down to the 50 km/h limit through the Mount Hypipamee (Crater) section especially, and the area of forest between the Longlands Gap (Herberton range/Herberton turn off) and Mount Hypipamee.
The two adult birds are accompanied by two chicks around six months old have been sighted at the Crater crossing the highway near the bridge in recent days. Additionally, two independent juveniles and two other adult cassowaries are occasionally seen in the Longlands Gap/Herberton range section.
The Department of Environment and Science has placed warning signs on the Crater access road, but not the highway. Motorists are also asked not to stop on the highway to observe these birds as visibility is poor and they should also not be fed.
Cassowary behaviour is unpredictable and they can cause serious injuries to people and pets by kicking with their large clawed feet.
The department advises:
Never approach cassowaries.
Never approach chicks – male cassowaries will defend them vigorously.
Never feed cassowaries – it is illegal, dangerous and has caused cassowary deaths in other locations, as birds associate vehicles with food.
Always discard food scraps in closed bins and ensure compost bins have secure lids.
Always slow down when driving in southern cassowary territory.
Never stop your vehicle to look at the cassowaries on the road.
If you see the birds or see one injured please report the sighting to the DES call 1300 130 372 and follow the prompts.
“These birds have been present at the crater for a number of years, so please observe signage and help us all to protect this iconic species,” a spokesperson said.
