‘The footage is astonishing’: Cassowary filmed swimming at Bingil Bay amid fresh warning

Experts are scratching their heads at the vision of a waterlogged cassowary swimming into shore at Bingil Bay in Far North Queensland. WATCH THE VIDEO

Experts are scratching their heads at the vision of a cassowary swimming into shore at Bingil Bay.

Those watching initially thought it was a turtle, then a shark, before they realised it was a subadult cassowary.

The Department of Environment and Science wildlife officer Stephen Clough said someone provided the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service with a video of the unexpected ocean swim.

“We’re not sure how long this animal was in the water or why it went for a swim but the footage is astonishing” he said.

“Cassowaries can swim and will take to the water to cross from one side of a river to the other, or if they feel threatened by domestic dogs or another cassowary through a territorial dispute”.

If you happen to cross a Cassowary you are supposed walk back slowly and put something like a big or a branch between yourself and the animal.

Mandubarra Traditional Owner from Mamu Country and Bingil Bay Campground host Nikita McDowell was alerted to the swimming cassowary by a guest, who told her it was about 200 metres offshore.

‘The footage is astonishing’: Cassowary filmed swimming at Bingil Bay amid fresh warning

“I ran down and waited for the cassowary to emerge from the ocean, and it must’ve been exhausted as it stood in the shade beneath a tree with its legs shaking for about half an hour,” Ms McDowell said.

“Perhaps it entered the ocean around South Mission Beach and was caught by the current or in a rip and swept around to Bingil Bay.

Mr Clough said people who live in cassowary country should slow down on the roads, particularly around areas the birds are known to frequent.

“There’s an estimated 4000 cassowaries remaining in Queensland, and they face numerous threats to their survival including habitat loss, vehicle strikes and domestic dog attacks,” he said.

Experts are not sure what the bird was doing in the water.

In a statement the Department said: “Southern cassowary behaviour is unpredictable. Cassowaries can inflict serious injuries to people and pets by kicking with their large, clawed feet”.

Be Cass-o-wary:

Never approach cassowaries

Never approach chicks – male cassowaries will defend them

Never feed cassowaries – it is illegal, dangerous and has caused southern cassowary deaths

Always discard food scraps in closed bins and ensure compost bins have secure lids

Always slow down when driving in southern cassowary territory

Never stop your vehicle to look at southern cassowaries on the road

Keep dogs behind fences or on a leash

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

Originally published as ‘The footage is astonishing’: Cassowary filmed swimming at Bingil Bay amid fresh warning