‘Harbour’ Sets Sail!

Another successful cassowary release from Garners Cassowary Rehabilitation Facility.

C4, DETSI and Tropical Vets are pleased to share the successful release of Harbour, a young male cassowary, back into the wild last week!

Harbour came into care at Garners Cassowary Rehabilitation Facility as a sub-adult in poor condition, primarily malnourished. He had been reported to DETSI after being spotted in the canelands near Mourilyan Harbour. Like many young males at this stage of life, Harbour had recently separated from his father and set off in search of his own territory. Unfortunately, this journey led him out of the coastal ranges and into an area with no forest and no food.

This is a growing concern in our region. With no east-west habitat corridor in the Mourilyan area, birds like Harbour can easily become isolated. Cassowaries are highly dependent on large tracts of connected rainforest to find food and establish home ranges. As these habitats are fragmented by development, roads, and fences, the risks of injury and malnourishment increase dramatically.

Harbour’s story is a powerful reminder of why habitat connectivity is so vital — and why tracking cassowary sightings remains a core focus for C4. Every sighting reported helps us understand where birds are attempting to move and which areas might support future cassowary corridors. If you live in the Mourilyan or Etty Bay area, please use C4’s sightings form to report any cassowary activity you see.

Thanks to the dedicated management by DETSI, who manage the Garners Facility and wildlife care, Harbour received the expert attention he needed. Tropical Vets also play a critical role, providing veterinary support for sick, injured, or orphaned cassowaries that come into care. The Facility itself is equipped to care for cassowaries suffering from injury (often due to vehicle strikes or fences), illness, or loss of habitat.

Harbour spent several months in rehabilitation under the watchful eyes of C4 volunteers, slowly regaining his health, strength, and confidence. Last week, he was successfully released into a section of Wooroonooran National Park, beyond the South Johnstone River and camping area. The chosen release site is a vast, connected rainforest landscape with abundant food sources and space — an ideal location for a young cassowary to re-establish his place in the wild.

A big thank you goes out to all the C4 volunteers who give their time and energy to care for cassowaries like Harbour. Your daily work is making a meaningful impact on our shared environment and helping to ensure the survival of this remarkable species.

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