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A significant milestone has been achieved at Birdland, a wildlife park in the Cotswolds, with the hatching of a southern cassowary chick.
This marks the first time in the park’s history that the formidable species, known as one of the world’s most dangerous birds, has successfully bred after 25 years of attempts.
The southern cassowary is native to the rainforests of Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
It is renowned for its strong legs, sharp claws, and aggressive nature when threatened.
Its powerful build and dagger-like claws can be lethal, making it one of the few birds that pose a danger to humans.
The species has been involved in fatal attacks, such as the incident in Florida where a cassowary killed its owner.
The new chick is part of the European Endangered Species Programme (Eaza Ex-situ Programme) and is only the fourth to hatch in Europe this year, and the first in the UK since 2021.
The parents of the chick, a male from the Netherlands and a female from Germany, have resided at Birdland since 2012. Their successful breeding marks a long-awaited achievement for the park.
To ensure the safety of the staff and the birds, the team monitored the nest remotely with video cameras during the incubation process, minimizing any disturbances.
Cassowaries are the only birds at the park that require a dedicated risk assessment due to their hazardous nature.
Despite the challenges, the sight of the newly hatched chick, which has distinctive brown and tan stripes, was a momentous occasion.
Interestingly, it is the male cassowary that incubates the eggs and raises the chicks.
The father remains on the nest for nearly two months, protecting the young after they hatch and guiding them to feeding grounds.
The chicks stay with their fathers for over a year, learning survival skills.
Cassowaries are powerful creatures, capable of running at speeds up to 31mph, jumping as high as 2 meters, and even swimming.
Despite being flightless, their strength and agility are unparalleled among birds of their kind.
The southern cassowary’s conservation status was recently downgraded from “vulnerable” to “least concern".
However threats from deforestation and human activity continue to pose risks to their survival.
Birdland hopes visitors will soon have a chance to see the fast-growing chick in its spacious enclosure.
This hatching offers a unique glimpse into the life of one of the world’s most fascinating and dangerous birds, with Birdland providing a safe haven for the species.
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