By Cassandra Pulver

A local Daintree resident Geoff has proof that these magnificent birds are breeding in safety and quite rapidly, with their second batch of young chicks parading about his property.

It’s not a shock that our precious wildlife including the endangered Cassowary have become victims on our roads.  So it is good news to know this Casuariidae (cassowary family) is thriving in someone’s back yard out of harms way of “it’s most treacherous enemy… man.”

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It is interesting that this declining species is in close habitat with the owners of the property.  Being a solitary bird, the southern cassowary only pairs in breeding season during winter or spring.  This is when the male has his work cut out for him.

He builds the nest on the ground expertly constructs it approximately 5-10 cm thick and 100 cm wide, allowing the thick structure to let moisture drain away from the eggs. But wait, his work is not over.  The male also incubates the eggs and raises the chicks alone, just the way god intended!

More good cassowary news released on Tuesday in a joint statement from The Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk, The Hon. Curtis Pitt and The Hon. Steven Miles.  It was announced that Rainforest Rescue will continue to operate Garner’s Beach Cassowary Rehabilitation Facility thanks to funding from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said up to $50,000 would be made available as an interim solution and allow the community run facility to continue to receive injured or orphaned cassowary chicks.

“What this interim funding means is Rainforest Rescue can continue to accept new chicks if necessary for a further three months until a new arrangement is devleoped,” said Dr Steven Miles.

Dr Miles said the government wanted to keep doors open for a long term solution for ongoing operation of the facility.  

“The government will launch an Expressions of Interest process to seek potential partners who can offer rehabilitation services for cassowaries, sponsorship or in-kind support,” Dr Miles said.

While this new $50,000 funding will sustain the Garner’s Beach Cassowary Rehabilitation Facility for the short term, there is now hope for a long term sustainable solution.  

“The Garner’s Beach Rehabilitation Centre was never funded by the LNP government. In fact the LNP refused to even acknowledge the endangered status of this magnificent bird while they were in government,” said Treasurer Curtis Pitt.

In the meantime, it is comforting to know that this special cassowary family known as Elvis, Priscilla and Big Bird, are safe and protected in their natural habitat.  We will advise the new chicks name in due course.