An adorable cassowary chick has arrived at Australia Zoo, already bonding with proud father, Kevin, who visitors can admire sporadically during the upcoming holiday season.
Now settling into its loving new home, the chick will join siblings Fergo and Laura, who were born in 2021, making history as the Zoo’s first successful breeding of these endangered birds in their then 51-year history.
Jodi Hughes, Bird Keeper at Australia Zoo said, “Our beautiful cassowary chick is doing really well and loves eating grapes, while already exploring their wonderful home at the Zoo, curious about its surroundings.”
“The little one is settling in beautifully with Kevin, who is doing an excellent job caring for the chick. In the wild, male cassowaries are responsible for nurturing the eggs and raising the chicks on their own, a role Kevin is embracing wholeheartedly,” said Jodi.
Cassowaries are heavy and flightless birds that use their long, powerful legs to navigate their way through rainforests in search of food. They possess three long, forward facing toes with their toenail growing to up to 12 centimeters long, serving as a powerful defense mechanism in the wild.
Cassowaries are considered a keystone species due to their crucial role in dispersing rainforest seeds and maintaining the diversity of the ecosystem. These gorgeous birds can often be seen foraging for forest fruits at Australia Zoo.
Australia Zoo’s breeding program plays a critical role in supporting the conservation of cassowaries, helping establish a healthy insurance population to safeguard the species’ future.
Robert Irwin said, “Here at Australia Zoo, we are proud to be involved in the conservation of cassowaries, helping to ensure a brighter future for the species.”
“Through Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors, we work tirelessly to preserve entire wildlife species and support them in the wild, whether it is breeding cassowaries at the Zoo, conducting groundbreaking research on saltwater crocodiles, or rehabilitating wildlife at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.
“Our important conservation work aligns strongly with our core mission at Australia Zoo, to protect wildlife and wild places. We are so excited for guests to visit the Zoo and check out our gorgeous cassowary chick, while learning about their plight in the wild,” he said.
