The southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) is faced with multiple threats throughout its Australian habitat. The species is listed as Endangered under Australia’s Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. A Recovery Plan has been developed to try to prevent the local extinction of the cassowary in Queensland.
Habitat Fragmentation and Loss are Major Threats to the Southern Cassowary
The Queensland wet tropics population is most at risk. The rainforest where cassowaries find the fruits which make up the majority of their diet has been affected by development. Habitat fragmentation and loss have pushed the birds into areas of human activity where they face further threats.
Humans, Dog Attacks and Road Traffic Accidents Add to Cassowary Woes
Well–meaning humans often feed cassowaries which, unfortunately, leads to problems when these huge birds with sharp claws become aggressive in seeking that food. There is also concern that regular feeding results in cassowaries congregating in areas where they may be exposed to other risks.
Dog attacks on young cassowaries have resulted in numerous deaths for this long–lived, slow–growing species. The chance for disease transmission also increases when the birds congregate in these unnatural feeding situations.
Roads cut through cassowary rainforest habitat increase the risk of road traffic accidents and allow for introduction of non–native plants, which compete with the native rainforest vegetation which is critical to the cassowary's diet. Traffic calming measures including speed bumps have already been implemented in some cassowary habitat.
The presence of feral pigs is being evaluated as a risk. It is known that feral pigs eat cassowary eggs and degrade water quality and habitat. Cassowaries need fresh water for drinking and bathing. Whether the pigs compete with the birds for food is under investigation.
Recovery Plan Proposes Protecting and Linking Critical Rainforest Habitat
The creation of wildlife corridors between fragmented sections of rainforest is an important part of the recovery plan for the cassowary. The species is largely solitary and travels great distances while foraging.
Wildlife corridors may also reduce the number of cassowaries attempting to cross roads, reducing accidental death rates. The proposed corridors will have the added advantage of increasing rainforest conservation for other species impacted by habitat fragmentation and destruction.
Changing Human Behavior to Protect Cassowaries
Education and outreach programs have been initiated in cassowary territory to help reduce the impact of human activities on the endangered birds. People enjoy feeding animals and are often unaware of the potential negative consequences of their actions.
Ensuring that pet dogs are kept under control in cassowary habitat will also require cooperation from the people of the area. In addition, management of stray dog populations will need to be improved.
The effort to protect the cassowary will have positive impacts on rainforest conservation, as cassowaries are important seed dispersers within the tropical wetlands. Their size allows them to eat more than 70 species of fruit which are too large for smaller species and they are able to digest another 80 types plants which are highly toxic to other species. Their migratory habits also ensure that seeds are spread throughout the rainforest.
The Far North Queensland rainforest is one of the oldest intact rainforests in the world. Preventing the extinction of the cassowary can help ensure this ancient habitat can also survive.
Resource:
Latch, P. 2007. National recovery plan for the southern cassowary Casuarius casuarius johnsonii . Report to Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra. Environmental Protection Agency.
Dawn M. Smith - A vet nurse, Dawn has worked in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation around the world in addition to her veterinary hospital ...
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