The Cassowary

A very special bird indeed. There are only 1500 left in the wild and they play a special part in the Rainforest eco-system (or at least their poo does!). They are as tall as humans and are the only bird that can eat the fruit of various trees whole - this means that they are natures great seed dispersers and even provide the fertiliser too. They are very rare and suffer a lot as road kill - even a glancing blow will do for one as the shock will kill them. Any day is a bad day for a Cassowary as they always get out of the wrong side of the bed. They can be vicious and have razor sharp talons on their feet. One kid in 2000 found out the hard way as he was teasing a Cassowary and then had his throat slit open. That'll teach him. The speed limits north of Port Douglas are reduced as a method of limiting Cassowaries dying on the road.

Picture - Taken in the Port Douglas Habitat Centre.