A woman and her daughter narrowly escaped a dangerous encounter with two hungry cassowaries — an adult and its chick — in the state of Queensland, Australia.
The moment was captured by the family’s home security cameras.
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The incident took place in May, but led the Queensland Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation to issue a warning on June 18 about the dangers of feeding or approaching these wild birds. The cassowary, native to northern Australia and New Guinea, is considered the most dangerous bird in the world, and is one of the few birds with a history of fatal attacks on humans.
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According to the agency, the animals, already accustomed to human presence, approached the home looking for food. “Fortunately, the mother and her baby were able to get inside safely,” said ranger Jeff Lewis. “But it’s an important reminder not to interfere with wildlife.”
Cassowaries become even more aggressive when they associate people with food — especially when accompanied by chicks. “They can become impatient and aggressive when searching for food, and that poses a danger to anyone nearby,” Lewis warned.
Cassowaries attack using their legs, which have long, sharp claws capable of causing serious injuries. “They are more active at dusk, have claws that rival Freddy Krueger’s, and are one of the few bird species known to have killed humans,” the official statement noted.
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The Queensland government emphasizes that the best way to protect both people and the animals is to keep your distance and never feed them.
Source and images: Queensland Government. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
