The Southern Cassowary
The Southern Cassowary
Casuarius casuarius johnsonii
goondoye (Djiru language)
Listen to a cassowary:
Guardian of the Rainforest
The Southern Cassowary is a keystone species, vital for the health of tropical rainforests. Known for its striking casque and brilliant blue neck, the cassowary is also elusive and solitary.
The Southern Cassowary plays a crucial role in Far North Queensland’s rainforests as “Rainforest Gardeners.” They are vital seed dispersers, helping maintain the balance and biodiversity of these ecosystems. Their digestive process gently handles seeds, which are then passed in nutrient-rich dung, ready for germination. As the only native species capable of dispersing large fruit seeds over long distances, cassowaries ensure plants don’t remain clustered around parent trees, promoting a thriving, diverse rainforest.
Southern Cassowaries live in the tropical rainforests of Far North Queensland, primarily in the Wet Tropics.
Prominent habitats for the cassowary include the Daintree Rainforest, Atherton Tablelands, Mission Beach, and the Cassowary Coast. They can also found in parts of the Cape York Peninsula and rely on dense rainforest habitats for food and shelter. These areas are critical for their survival, as they provide the fruits and plants essential to their diet and the dense forest cover they need to thrive.
Southern Cassowaries are frugivores mainly consuming fleshy rainforest fruits, including large ones like Quandongs, Cassowary Plums, and Ooray.
Southern cassowaries are endangered.
In the Mission Beach area, significant habitat loss has forced Southern Cassowaries into smaller ranges. They now depend on plantation food and face rising threats from dogs and vehicles as they traverse the fragmented landscape.
What can we do?
Slow down.
Vehicle deaths are are the #1 cause of adult cassowary deaths as their habitat has become fragmented by roads.
Don’t feed cassowaries.
One of the greatest threats to cassowaries is hand feeding, which leads them to approach humans, increasing their risk of being killed by cars or attacked by dogs in residential areas.
Restrain pets.
Leash and/or fence dogs when cassowaries are around.
Plant cassowary food.
Plant local plant species in your garden, this will provide cassowaries with more food sources in the region.
Report cassowary sightings.
Assist in cassowary conservation research by reporting cassowary sightings to C4.
Support local conservation organisations.
Support local organisations like C4 who are passionate about protecting the cassowary and their habitats.