rescued and released cassowary chick copyright queensland government

Feel Great Features

Rescued cassowary chicks return to the wild

A little bit cute, a little bit goofy, a little bit feathery, a little bit poofy: meet the rescued and rehabilitated cassowary chicks that returned to the wild just yesterday.

The two juvenile Southern Cassowaries were successfully released into their natural environment by wildlife officers and bounced back into the Wet Tropics Rainforest in true “Road Runner” style. The chicks were rescued in 2021 and 2022 and were treated by vets before being transferred to the Garners Beach Cassowary Centre for close monitoring prior to their full release. The pair were released in Clump Mountain National Park and Hull River National Park.

The Southern Cassowary is a feathered giant that is endemic to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest and is integral to keeping the rainforest ecosystem healthy and balanced. These fruit eating machines are Mother Nature’s gardeners and scatter seeds of up to 50 rainforest trees with every step (or should we say, stool).

Read the full story below.

Remember to be casso-wary whilst you explore the tropics and to report your cassowary sightings by calling 1300 130 372

Header image is copyrighted © Queensland Government

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