Daintree research centre to save endangered cassowaries

Peter Michael, The Courier-Mail

February 21, 2018 2:00pm

THE Daintree’s endangered cassowaries – under threat from pigs, dogs, cars and crocodiles – may be thrown the lifeline of a new research and breeding facility in the world’s oldest rainforest.

Douglas Shire Council has ordered a feasibility study into how to protect the dwindling population of the iconic flightless bird, a popular tourist drawcard, in the jungles of far north Queensland.

Every year hundreds of southern cassowaries, a throwback to the dinosaur era, are killed or injured, and baby chicks orphaned.

Today it is estimated as few as 1500 birds still survive in the wild in Australia.

“We’re firmly dedicated to protecting our cassowaries,’’ Douglas Mayor Julia Leu said.

“I think it is time we at least look at the feasibility of building one (a cassowary facility) in the Daintree Rainforest.’’

Continued