Cassowary
Posted at 11:14 am October 25, 2006 by adminZoo InternQuest is a career exploration program for high school students. To read journals by the interns, see the Zoo InternQuest Journals. For more photos see the Zoo InternQuest Photo Journal. To meet the Interns, read the Intern Profiles.
Deservedly christened the most dangerous animal in the world, this cassowary is the only one of its kind in North America. Being able to see this aggressive bird up close at the San Diego Zoo was a real treat.
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October 26th, 2006 at 11:08 am
Did they “get rid of” all their contemporaries and competition? If they are so aggressive how do they mate and produce a next generation? If the one in San Diego is the only one in North America, it is going to be difficult to find a mate, especially if it is aggressive toward any other creatures. How do its keepers deal with its aggression?
October 26th, 2006 at 4:12 pm
where can i view the cassowary?
November 14th, 2006 at 4:50 pm
Dear Margaret,
This cassowary has been in captivity all its life and therefore is not as agressive as most cassowarys. But the keepers do not enter the enclosure with the animal at anytime. Instead, the keepers have developed ways to feed and transport the cassowary without contact. The female cassowarys show agression to the male, but they mate and the female leaves the male to incubate and raise the chicks. The Zoo is interested in breeding this cassowary but so far there are no other dwarf cassowarys in North America. Also before breeding, a place must be found to house the chicks.
Love,
Zoo InternQuest Interns
November 14th, 2006 at 4:53 pm
Dear Patricia,
The cassowary can be viewed at the platform between the two moving walkways near Owen’s Aviary at the Zoo.
Love,
Zoo InternQuest Interns
December 17th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
Check out the Australian Rainforest Foundation (ARF) that is working to have continuous quality habitat for the Southern Cassowary in Tropical North Queensland, Australia (called Operation Big Bird). They are doing really great stuff and deserve your support.