Ever heard of a cassowary? Native to New Guinea slash northern Australia and close relatives of emus, they’re 6ft tall, flightless birds with a bright blue face and a kick powerful enough to kill. They’re one of the largest birds in the world and, thanks to that forceful kick, dagger-like claws and high speeds of up to 31mph, have a reputation for being among the deadliest.
Now, a southern cassowary chick has hatched here in the UK for the first time since 2021. Newborn cassowaries are relatively rare in this part of the world and this little one is only the fourth to hatch in Europe this year. It’s part of the European Endangered Species Programme.
Keepers at Birdland in the Cotwolds have been trying to breed the bird in the UK for more than 25 years, but it’s proved difficult to breed in captivity as they have very specific environmental and behavioural needs. The eggs are actually incubated by the male parent, who also looks after the hatchlings once they emerge. He’ll lead them to his regular feeding grounds and look after them for up to 16 months.
Alistair Keen, a keeper at Birdland, said: ‘It has been a massive effort from the entire team here over many years, but it's all been worthwhile when you see this amazing humbug-coloured chick exploring its new surroundings under the watchful eye of a very protective father.’
Birdland hopes that visitors will get a chance to glimpse the rare baby bird in its enclosure over the coming weeks.
More animal magic with Time Out
If you can’t get enough of Mother Nature, take a look at our list of the best places to see rare and wonderful wildlife in the UK or gander through our roundup of images from Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2024. And in other recent conservation news, a lost ancient rainforest in Wales is being brought back to life, baby beavers have been born in London for the first time in 400 years and beautiful white storks could be coming back to London.
Did you see that these are all the shortlisted trees for Tree of the Year 2024?
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