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A bird park in the Cotswolds has successfully hatched a southern cassowary chick – one of the world’s largest and deadliest birds. Keepers at Birdland in Bourton-on-the-Water have been trying to breed the giant, flightless birds for over 25 years. The chick is only the fourth to hatch in Europe this year and the first born in the UK since 2021.
“When we caught our first glimpse of the tiny chick it was a very special moment indeed,” said keeper Alistair Keen. The proud parents of the new chick, a male from Avifauna in Alphen, Netherlands, and a female from Frankfurt, Germany, have been at Birdland since 2012 and are part of the European Endangered Species Programme.
Cassowaries have a reputation as one of the world’s most dangerous birds, with documented cases of people being killed by them. This is due to their powerful legs, a sharp claw and aggressive behaviour when threatened. The male cassowary incubates the eggs for up to two months and looks after the hatchlings, protecting them for up to 16 months.
Breeding cassowaries in captivity is challenging due to their specific environmental and behavioural needs. However, the hatching of cassowary chicks in the UK has been relatively rare. Birdland’s success in breeding the giant birds is a significant achievement and a testament to the dedication and expertise of its keepers.
Overall, the birth of the southern cassowary chick marks an important milestone in conserving the species, which is related to the emu and native to the tropical forests of New Guinea and northern Australia. The chick represents hope for the future of one of the world’s most fascinating, yet perilous birds
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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