Thursday, December 17, 2009

Cassowary 18/12/09

A cassowary chick has died after being hit by a car in the Daintree. The bird was struck and left beside the Cape Kimberley Rd, north of the Daintree River, sparking fresh pleas from Queensland Parks and Wildlife rangers for drivers to slow down and be extra cautious on rainforest roads. Senior ranger Tina Alderson said the dead bird was found by a Daintree resident last week. Its death follows a vehicle strike near Mission Beach, south of Cairns, which killed an adult cassowary several weeks ago.

The areas are known for cassowary warning signs. "The chick was found just beyond signage warning motorists of cassowaries in the area," Ms Alderson said. "It weighed about 4kg and would have still been with its father." She urged motorists to "do their bit" for conservation of the bird, which is listed as endangered. People can report dead cassowaries in the Daintree region to Queensland Parks and Wildlife 's Mossman office on 4098 2188, and in other areas on 1300 130 372. * Cairns Post

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