Southern cassowaries

The southern cassowary is an important part of the identity, culture and natural environment of the Cassowary Coast.

Found in the rainforests of Far North Queensland, these large flightless birds play a vital role in keeping our rainforests healthy. By eating rainforest fruits and dispersing their seeds across the landscape, cassowaries help regenerate and connect rainforest habitat.

The southern cassowary is listed as Endangered in Queensland and faces threats including habitat loss and fragmentation, vehicle strikes, dogs and pigs, and extreme weather events. Source:Southern cassowary - qld.gov.au

Protecting cassowaries and their habitat takes all of us — Council, Traditional Custodians and rangers, the Queensland Government, Wet Tropics Management Authority, conservation organisations, researchers, schools and our passionate community. 

Our commitment to cassowary conservation

The Southern Cassowary Conservation Policy outlines our approach to helping protect cassowaries and their habitat across the Cassowary Coast.

It explains our commitment to working with government agencies, Traditional Owners, conservation organisations and the community to help protect cassowary habitat, reduce threats and support the long-term conservation of this unique species.

Read Council’s policy - Southern_Cassowary_Conservation_Policy.pdf(PDF, 438KB)

Learn more:

 Southern cassowary - qld.gov.au

Recovery plan for the southern cassowary

Cassowary information for kids - WTMA Education Kit

Download the QWildlife app to report a cassowary sighting:

Download on the App Store for iOS

Download on Google Play for Android