26 SEPTEMBER, 2022 - BE CASS-O-WARY, THIS WORLD CASSOWARY DAY

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Published
26th September 2022

To celebrate World Cassowary Day on Monday 26 September, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Science (DES), launched a series of six educational signs at Etty Bay that take a comical approach to protecting the region’s favourite bird – the Cassowary.

Featuring a cartoon Cassowary called ‘Snitty’, the signs use humour and wit to discuss how Cassowaries can behave and what visitors should and shouldn’t do around the protected species. The signs aim to stand out from regular signage and messaging which is more commonly used, and influence behavior change of people visiting the region.

Environment Portfolio Holder, Councillor Jeff Baines, said that World Cassowary Day is a day of celebration to draw attention to how important Cassowaries are to the ecosystem and to promote the protection of the bird.

“There is no better day, then World Cassowary Day, to launch the newly created signage, and get the community and visitors talking about how to be Cass-O-Warry!

“The signs which were created by First Dog on the Moon artist, Andrew Marlton, an award-winning political cartoonist for the Guardian Australia, use a comical approach to educate Etty Bay visitors on how to act around Cassowaries and the important do’s and don’ts.

“Across Australia, the current population estimate for the Southern Cassowaries, the species located on the Cassowary Coast, is just 4,000. Unfortunately, habitat loss, car strikes and dog attacks continue to threaten the species.

“It is important that visitors and the community be vigilant in areas where Cassowaries frequent and don’t feed, approach or leave food scraps behind,” said Councillor Baines.

Senior Wildlife Officer Dinouk Perera said the iconic blue, black and red southern cassowary is thought to be a relic of the age of dinosaurs.

“Cassowaries play a unique role in maintaining the rich biodiversity of Queensland’s World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforest,” Mr Perera said.

“Queensland is the only Australian state where these iconic, massive, flightless birds can be found in the wild, and it is always exciting for people to catch a glimpse of a Cassowary in the wild.

“Unfortunately, cassowaries do become victims of vehicle strikes and we’re asking people to slow down in the region, never feed cassowaries and always try and observe them from a distance.

“The Department of Environment and Science is working with the Cassowary Coast Regional Council to help protect these magnificent animals.”

Remember, Be Cass-o-wary!!

  • Don’t approach cassowaries – they are very unpredictable.
  • Don’t approach chicks – the father will be nearby and may defend them fiercely.
  • Never feed cassowaries – it is against the law, potentially dangerous for people and has led to cassowary deaths.
  • Discard food scraps in closed bins in cassowary country and ensure compost bins have secure lids.
  • Slow down and be on the look-out when driving in southern cassowary territory.
  • Never stop your vehicle to look at southern cassowaries on the road.
  • Keep dogs behind fences or on a leash.
  • If you come face-to-face with an aggressive bird, it's best to back away slowly and put something like a tree, a backpack between yourself and the bird, and let it go on its way.

To view the series of signs, visit the Etty Bay foreshore and to report a Cassowary sighting please call 1300 130 372.

For further information contact Council at 1300 763 903 or email enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au.