Bunji the orphaned cassowary to become species ambassador at Gold Coast wildlife park

Orphaned cassowary Bunji, who was nursed back to health south of Tully, has moved to the Gold Coast where he will take up residence as a threatened species ambassador.

Orphaned cassowary chick, Bunji, who was found by the side of the Bruce Highway between Tully and Cardwell, being transported to the airport to take up his new home at the David Fleay Wildlife Park on the Gold Coast.

An orphaned cassowary saved by rangers south of Tully earlier this year has moved to the Gold Coast where he will become a ‘threatened species ambassador’.

David Fleay’s Wildlife Park in West Burleigh will have a very Cass-o-Merry Festive season with the recent arrival of young Bunji.

Senior Wildlife Officer Alex Diczbalis, said the chick was found by the side of the Bruce Hwy between Tully and Cardwell in June, but the father could not be found.

He said nursing the chick back to health was a team effort by the Girringun Indigenous Rangers, wildlife officers from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation and volunteers from Community Coastal and Cassowary Conservation.

“When rescued, the chick was lethargic and very unsteady on its feet and would not have survived in the wild,” Mr Diczbalis said.

“The Girringun Rangers named the cassowary Bunji, which means friend or mate.”

Girringun Indigenous Rangers with Bunji, the orphaned cassowary chick on the side of the Bruce Highway between Tully and Cardwell.

“Wildlife officers had to feed the cassowary through a tube for a week, but after two weeks he was able to walk around his enclosure and to eat quandong seeds that had fallen from the trees above.”

On December 12, Bunji was transported from Cairns to the Gold Coast and released into his new enclosure, with an adult female cassowary in an adjacent enclosure.

As a threatened species ambassador, Bunji will help educate the public about the important ecological role played by cassowaries and the conservation challenges the species face.

David Fleay Wildlife Park Ranger in Charge Kylie Zaia said the cassowary was an amazing Christmas gift and staff were looking forward to watching him become an adult

“He is already a tourist fascination, and as he struts around his enclosure, he is highlighting the essential threatened species work conducted by the department across Queensland,” Ms Zaia said.

Cassowary sightings in north Queensland should be reported to QPWS by calling 1300 130 372.

Orphaned cassowary chick, Bunji, who was found by the side of the Bruce Highway between Tully and Cardwell.

Originally published as Bunji the orphaned cassowary to become species ambassador at Gold Coast wildlife park