Aussie drivers warned of 'repeated' behaviour on steep winding road: 'Risking its life'
A cassowary has been seen approaching cars as they slow down in the hope of being fed.
A creature is “risking its life” and bringing traffic to a standstill on a narrow, winding Aussie road, prompting a stern warning to drivers.
An adult cassowary — one of the closest living species to dinosaurs — has recently been seen “repeatedly meandering” between cars along a 5km stretch of Gillies Range Road in Far North Queensland, which has notoriously steep verges on either side.
The native animal, which can inflict serious injuries to people and pets by kicking out with their clawed feet, “is not wary of vehicles” and has been seen approaching cars as they slow down, “hoping to be fed”, the state’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation explained on Thursday.
“Wildlife officers have reviewed videos taken by members of the public and believe this bird has been previously fed by people from cars,” Dave Woods, DESI’s manager of northern wildlife operations, said.
It is illegal to feed cassowaries, with those who do putting themselves at risk of serious, potentially deadly injuries and a $5,222 fine. The act also lures the endangered birds away from their native rainforest and into urban areas, putting them at risk of a vehicle strike or dog attack.
Mr Woods said concerned members of the public had reported the cassowary to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Numerous worried locals have also shared photos of the animal walking along the road, with one person saying the “cheeky little dude” has been there everyday.
“Cassowaries are an endangered, iconic species, and every bird is precious. We don’t want anything to happen to this animal and we want drivers to remain safe,” Mr Woods said.
“We’re asking everyone who uses Gillies Range Road to keep their windows up, not discard any food and drive with caution near the top of the range. If people stop offering the cassowary food, it will return to the rainforest and go back to foraging for food without any further human intervention.”
Dangerous road presents a challenge to wildlife staff
The wildlife manager said staff have conducted “several site inspections” to observe the cassowary’s behaviour, “but the section of road presents operational challenges”.
“Due to the narrow road, high volume of traffic and steep landscape, it would be dangerous and difficult for wildlife officers to conduct behavioural modification on the animal,” Mr Woods said.
“We are currently working with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Queensland Police Service about management options to address the risk to road users and the cassowary.”
Cassowary sightings should be reported by calling 1300 130 372. How to be cass-o-wary:
Never approach cassowaries
Never approach chicks – male cassowaries will defend them
Never feed cassowaries – it is illegal, dangerous and has caused cassowary deaths
Always discard food scraps in closed bins and ensure compost bins have secure lids
Slow down when driving in cassowary habitat
Never stop your vehicle to look at cassowaries on the road
Keep dogs behind fences or on a leash