One of the world’s most dangerous birds has been hatched for the first time at a bird park in the Cotswolds.
Birdland announced their first successful hatching this week following a 25-year breeding effort.
A relative of the Emu, the Southern Cassowary is seen as dangerous because of its strong legs, sharp claws and aggressive behaviour toward humans.
Described as a “Terror Turkey” with a “six-inch steak knife on each toe”, the formidable creature is one of the world’s largest flightless birds.
“It’s all been worthwhile when you see this amazing humbug-coloured chick exploring its new surroundings,” park staff said (file photo)
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Growing to heights of up to 5’11”, and weighing as much as nine stone, the birds are truly a sight to behold.
Cassowaries can reach speeds of 31mph, jump up to two metres in the air – and have even been filmed swimming.
The breed has even killed humans in the past, including Marvin Hajos who was slain by one of his pet cassowaries in Florida five years ago.
Native to the tropical rainforests of Australia, Indonesia and Papa New Guinea, their conservation status recently changed from “vulnerable” to “least concern”.
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A Southern Cassowary, seen here with a pair of weeks-old chicks (file photo)
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
But deforestation and increasing human activity are threatening the beast’s survival prospects.
The hatching drive is part of the Eaza Ex-situ Programme, formerly known as the European Endangered Species Programme, and the successful birth marks the fourth in Europe this year – and the first in the UK since 2021.
Its parents, a female from Frankfurt in Germany and a Male from Avifuana in Alphen in the Netherlands have been together at Birdland since 2012.
The head keeper at Birdland, Alistair Keen, said: “It has been a massive effort from the entire team here over many years, but it’s all been worthwhile when you see this amazing humbug-coloured chick exploring its new surroundings under the watchful eye of a very protective father.”
“Cassowaries have a reputation as one of the world’s most dangerous birds and their size, speed and power combined with their dagger-like 10cm claws mean we have to take looking after them extremely seriously.
“They are the only birds onsite that have their own risk assessment as they are potentially so hazardous.
“In order to avoid disturbing them during the incubation, we’ve been using video cameras to monitor the nest, and when we caught our first glimpse of the tiny chick, it was a very special moment indeed.”
Curiously, the male plays the traditionally maternal role, incubating the eggs and looking after the hatchlings – a rarity in the animal world.
Visitors will have the opportunity to see the bird as a chick in its enclosure at Birdland as it grows.