The Cassowary Recovery Team (CRT) convened this week at C4 to continue collaborative efforts to reduce cassowary road strikes and strengthen habitat connectivity across the Wet Tropics region.
Representatives from across government agencies, research institutions, and community organisations gathered to share updates on cassowary monitoring, recovery planning, and on-ground management in key population areas. C4 was proud to host the session, which included Department of Environment, Tourism, Science & Innovation (DETSI), the Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC), the Zoo & Aquarium Association, and local conservation groups Kuranda Conservation, Cassowary Keystone Conservation and Mission Beach Cassowaries.
Camera trial sites identified in Mission Beach
One of the main discussions centred on selecting suitable locations for new camera monitoring trials to track cassowary movement and vehicle interactions. The trial will build on Terrain NRM’s Wongaling Cassowary Corridor Crossings Assets Plan, which identified strategic locations where cassowaries frequently cross roads between habitat fragments.
Working in partnership with Transport and Main Roads (TMR), local councils, and landholders, the team reviewed collision and sighting data to prioritise several high-activity zones. While exact locations remain confidential to protect the birds, these sites represent well-used cassowary corridors where targeted monitoring could help inform future road safety interventions.
The initiative aligns with Terrain NRM’s recommendation to combine roadside vegetation management, culvert upgrades, and low-impact monitoring technology to improve connectivity between key habitats such as Wongaling Creek, Garrett Corridor, and Cottonwood Creek.
Sightings and mortality data show patterns
The meeting also reviewed the latest cassowary sightings and deaths data from the Department of Environment, presented by Alex Diczbalis (DETSI) and James Biggs (Zoo & Aquarium Association).
Between February and July 2025, 357 cassowary sightings were reported to QWildlife across the entire of North Queensland, leading to nearly a thousand management actions including rescue responses, community education, and signage deployment. Eight (8) fatalities were recorded in the same period, underscoring the ongoing challenge of vehicle collisions in high-traffic coastal areas.
Participants discussed the importance of faster and more centralised data sharing to improve response times and ensure accurate reporting.
Collaboration and education continue
CRT members reaffirmed the importance of collaboration between agencies and local communities in reducing cassowary deaths and maintaining healthy populations. Plans are underway to expand education around driver awareness, especially for heavy vehicles and construction traffic, which have been identified as a growing concern around Mission Beach.
Looking ahead to 2026
The CRT will continue to coordinate data-sharing conversations, advocate for LAARMA (Large Animal Activated Roadside Monitoring Alert System) trials at regional hotspots, and support the work of local community groups.