Latest news with #cassowaries
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Incredible first as rare birds released into Australian jungle
Incredible video shows the moment two juvenile cassowaries ran free into the wild. Moments earlier, purpose-built cages were hauled into Japoon National Park in Queensland's west and the doors pulled open. The cassowaries, named Arthur and Matha, had been at a rehabilitation centre for 10 months, following a vehicle strike, 25km north in the coastal town of Innisfail. The 2024 incident left the father bird and one of the youngsters injured, and so a decision was made by authorities to capture and take them into care. It's the first time Queensland's environment department (DETSI) has released a pair together, and it's hoped they will eventually venture out into the park and conquer their own territory. Australia incredibly lucky to still have cassowaries Australia is lucky to still have large flightless birds like the cassowary, which can grow to 1.8 metres. When you see the birds in person it's a clear reminder that birds evolved from dinosaurs. Across the ditch in New Zealand, all nine species of moa were wiped out after the arrival of humans in the 1400s. These birds grew up to an incredible 3.6 metres. Southern cassowary numbers have plummeted since European settlement, and vehicle strikes and habitat destruction remain key threats to their survival. People feeding them, or leaving rubbish within reach are also major problems, as cassowaries entering human settlements often do so by crossing dangerous roads, and entering backyards makes them prone to attacks from pets. With the species listed as vulnerable to extinction, multiple organisations worked together to help the father cassowary and his offspring, including Garners Beach Cassowary Rehabilitation Centre, Community for Cassowary and Coastal Conservation, and Tropical Vets. What are the tallest birds alive today? Growing up to 2.8 metres, the tallest birds alive are the common ostrich and Somali ostrich. The emu is generally considered to be the second-tallest bird, as it can grow to 1.9 metres. Australia's southern cassowaries and Papua New Guinea's northern cassowaries can grow to 1.8 metres. Wildlife ranger Jeffrey Lewis said the father cassowary was freed earlier this year, but because of his prolonged separation from the chicks they couldn't be reunited. 'On July 31 2025, the juvenile cassowaries had reached an age where they would naturally separate from their father in the wild,' he said. 'After receiving the all-clear from a veterinarian they were taken to Japoon National Park and released back into the wild. 🐨 Noosa split over new luxury development in forest 🏝️ Incredible predator discovery inside remote Aussie island cave 🥔 Shoppers urged to change expectations as food disease found in Australia Anyone who sees a cassowary in the wild is incredibly lucky. If that bird is sick, injured or orphaned you can call this number for help: 1300 130 372. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
ABC News
30-07-2025
- Science
- ABC News
Artificial intelligence used to reduce cassowary road deaths in Queensland
A trial using artificial intelligence (AI) to detect cassowaries and then warn drivers has reduced the number of bird deaths on a Far North Queensland road by more than a third. The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) used AI for three months to detect the birds at a busy cassowary crossing on the Kennedy Highway at Kuranda, about 30 kilometres north-west of Cairns. The technology was 97 per cent accurate in identifying the bird, which led to a 31 per cent decrease in fatal crashes, the department said. TMR Far North District director Darryl Jones said vehicle strikes were the number one cause of death for the endangered southern cassowary. "It is really important to try and identify how can we reduce that," Mr Jones said. About two dozen cassowaries were killed in road collisions in Queensland last year. A sensor called the "Large Animal Activated Roadside Monitoring and Alert System" was used to identify the bird on or near the crossing point, using a camera to constantly monitor the environment. Once the bird was identified, it sent a signal to a computer which delivered a signal to a sign that could flash various messages to drivers, warning them to slow down. Mr Jones said drivers dropped their speed by an average of 6.6 kilometres per hour when shown the flashing sign. "Slowing down by even a few kilometres per hour can substantially improve reaction time, braking distance and outcomes in the event of a crash." Mr Jones said the technology could also potentially be used for other purposes, including animals or children around school zones. He said the technology would be removed from site and discussions would continue with research partners to secure funding to "roll it out". Tully veterinarian Graham Lauridsen welcomed the reduction in bird deaths on the Cassowary Coast, where a cassowary was hit by a car each month on average. "There was a large adult male hit at South Mission Beach, that was back in May — he had two chicks with him and he's one that became a fatality," Dr Lauridsen said. "There's two others I became aware of in that period but not necessarily where the [AI] trial took place." He said most cassowaries were out trying to find a mate and chicks were fully grown, but they would become more active from October. Dr Lauridsen said he hoped the trial could be expanded by utilising existing mapping of cassowary interactions, crossings, and frequented areas. "It will be really good to see how this technology, now we know it works, can be rolled out, especially into areas where there's hotspots of cassowary interactions," Dr Lauridsen said. Kuranda Conservation Community Nursery has welcomed the technology but said there could be another reason contributing to the fewer road deaths. Speed limits were reduced from 80 kilometres per hour to 60kph on the Kennedy Highway for Cyclone Jasper roadwork repairs. "It's a great tool and it can be used in certain places, but I'm not sure it's going to stop traffic if it's going as speed," nursery secretary Jax Bergersen said. "Once the speed limit was reduced to 60 [kph], we haven't had any deaths." Ms Bergersen said as the "only animal that can transport some of the big fruit", protecting the cassowary was imperative. Ms Bergersen said she wanted to see the technology trialled at Carmoo, about 250 kilometres south of Kuranda near Mission Beach, where there had been multiple cassowary deaths in an 80 kilometre per hour zone.
