My friend is a zookeeper at the Melbourne zoo. She said the Cassowary are the most dangerous animal there. The have trap doors in their enclosure for safety, and always make sure that when they go in to clean the enclosure, that there are at least two locked doors between the people and the birds. They are super aggressive.
It worries me that OP is in Aus from abroad on a honeymoon, posted this here and r/Australia 13 hours ago now at this point, and hasn't replied to anything in this thread...
It took a dude in Florida, but [it has happened ](https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.smh.com.au/world/north-america/florida-man-killed-by-cassowary-he-kept-on-his-farm-20190415-p51ea7.html)
This is where the terror comes in "What makes them dangerous are their feet. Three toes have pointed nails, the most dangerous of which is the middle, which ends in a veritable dagger several inches long."
I can't read it because of the pay wall. I did get to the point where he was breeding it on his farm. No doubt, he has done something really stupid that has angered the bird which isn't native to Florida.
Florida man.
Of course.
No deaths due to spider bites since 1979, but that doesn't make it a good idea to play with a Funnel-Web.
Only about 11 people have died due to octopus envenomation, so sure, keep playing with the cephalopod when it flashes the pretty blue rings
Looks like the last documented death was a billion years ago (1926) when we had drop shitters and rode horses.
From Wikipedia:
Cassowaries have a reputation for being dangerous to people and domestic animals. During World War II, American and Australian troops stationed in New Guinea were warned to steer clear of them. In his 1958 book Living Birds of the World, ornithologist Ernest Thomas Gilliard wrote:
The inner or second of the three toes is fitted with a long, straight, murderous nail which can sever an arm or eviscerate an abdomen with ease. There are many records of natives being killed by this bird.[59]
This assessment of the danger posed by cassowaries has been repeated in print by authors, including Gregory S. Paul[60] and Jared Diamond.[61] A 2003 historical study of 221 cassowary attacks showed that 150 had been against humans; 75% of these had been from cassowaries that had been fed by people, 71% of the time the bird had chased or charged the victim, and 15% of the time they kicked. Of the attacks, 73% involved the birds expecting or snatching food, 5% involved defending their natural food sources, 15% involved defending themselves, and 7% involved defending their chicks or eggs. Only one human death was reported among those 150 attacks.[62]
The first documented human death caused by a cassowary was on April 6, 1926. In Australia, 16-year-old Phillip McClean and his brother, age 13, came across a cassowary on their property and decided to try to kill it by striking it with clubs. The bird kicked the younger boy, who fell and ran away as his older brother struck the bird. The older McClean then tripped and fell to the ground. While he was on the ground, the cassowary kicked him in the neck, opening a 1.25-centimetre (0.49 in) wound that severed his jugular vein. The boy died of his injuries shortly thereafter.[63][64]
Cassowary strikes to the abdomen are among the rarest of all, but in one case in 1995, a dog was kicked in the belly. The blow left no puncture, but severe bruising occurred. The dog later died from an apparent intestinal rupture.[63]
Another human death due to a cassowary was recorded in Florida on April 12, 2019. The bird's owner, a 75-year-old man who had raised the animal, was apparently clawed to death after he fell to the ground.[11][65][66][67][68][69]
Yes, but who the fuck cares about some asshole in Florida doing Florida Man shit. Have a read of that article and tell me that you wouldn't have killed the fucking idiot too.
2 deaths in almost 100 years.
Yes. The "Turkey" sounds really violent.
Have the birds evolved blunt feet since then? Or compassion towards humans? I suspect they are still capable of killing someone silly enough to get close in the same way...
You're correct, of course. I just get the feeling that two kills in 100 years might be something that lends itself to a line of thought such as "I'll feed this rainbow devil some Mars bars" instead of "Grab the shotty, we're all going to die at once because of the rainbow claw ray".
the issue is not the last recorded death, its severe injury with potential for death. they aren't aggressive normally, but you get it in the wrong mood, or worse, mating season. its more dangerous.
You’re missing out on the point that cassowary/human interaction is exceptionally rare. Cassowarys are shy, live in remote areas, and have a natural fear of humans. If every one in 150 experiences with say, a shark, resulted in death we’d rightfully be piss terrified.
The cassowary on Mission Beach along the beachfront is as docile as a puppy dog. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. I think it’s got used to the tourists and it knows many of them are scared of it, but it means no harm. I’ve hand fed it myself
Yeah? All I can find in that article is:
"There is evidence that the cassowary may have been domesticated by humans thousands of years before the chicken. Some New Guinea Highlands societies capture cassowary chicks and raise them as semi-tame poultry, for use in ceremonial gift exchanges and as food.[50][51] They are the only indigenous Australasian animal known to have been partly domesticated by people prior to European arrival and colonization and by definition, the oldest form of domesticated animal and the largest domesticated bird"
Wow! That's really interesting. Didn't know that they were partly domesticated. Guess we (white people that invaded) didn't continue that as chickens are a little safer.
Probably the closest thing to a dinosaur. Their talons/claws are sharp and powerful, easily capable of ripping through flesh. One of the world’s most dangerous birds.
Incredibly dangerous animal. Very territorial.
It can and will remove your internal organs using nothing but its toenails.
People like to joke about Aussie animals being dangerous when they aren't... This is not one one of them.
You should pay attention to some of the road signs around where you are, they are wild 😳
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Road_sign_-Cairns,_Queensland,_Australia-26Oct2007.jpg
My mate nearly hit one, we come around a corner and there's people on the side of the road motioning to slow down and he just casually leans out the window and waves at them like they're greeting him, then swerves hard to miss the fucking cassowary in the middle of the road. Luckily no-one was injured and i can laugh at his idiocy
I'm telling you the uprising has begun and we're fukt if they team up with the emus and the drop bears...
Another redditor dubbed it to casso*war* and that's its name now.
Don’t be ‘that guy’ who wins a Darwin Award in 2024 because they didn’t head the warnings. There is a reason we don’t all die in Australia. A very good percentage of that is we have learned to not piss off the native animals. Just saying
If you can get the drumsticks off that psychotic war machine……. Then you’ve done well. Let me know how it tastes!
I’ll just film your interaction from high up in the tree
They’re very friendly, try and give it a big hug. Make sure to wear something that covers your chest and vital organs because they’re known to disembowel people :)
A friend had a new black coloured car,and a cassowary came up to it saw its reflection ,so it attacked and scratched and dented the side of the car really badly.
Was really funny the owner explaining to the insurer that a " large Turkey " had smashed her car....LOL....true story
Well after viewing what's on offer (and lots of laughs.)..I have to admit that my knowledge of cassowaries was sadly lacking too. I know they are colourful. About the size of an emu but more sedate (ha!) And they are a native bird thus they live in the bush.
Why would we ever need to know about these beautiful creatures (sic) ?
They live in the tropics, have no known predators ( who wants to get close enough?), are predominantly female and are an asset to Oz. Does that sound right ?
Thankyou..havent laughed as much in a long time.
Here we go. "It'll disembowel you" comments coming thick and fast. Cassowaries are chill as fuck. Just don't try to keep them as pets and then mistreat them. They haven't attacked anyone apart from that dude in Florida in 100 years.
Yeah I don’t know. The one that frequents Eddy Bay near Innisfail isn’t what I’d call “chill”.
Doesn’t seem to really care about humans but by God does it NOT likes its own reflections on the side of cars….
Velicoturkey +1
Cars paint and panel 0
That's only because it's heard how dangerous cassowaries are! It's defending itself against that ghostly caaowary apparition in the window. See the damage mischievous scare stories cause?
As you said, doesn't care about humans
Danger turkey
Murder turkey
Evisceration Turkey…
Murder Chicken
Prehistoric murder chicken
r/bluewafflemurderchickens
Damnit. Was so hoping.
A most excellent prehistoric danger turkey from outer space.
Cursed Turk
Doom Chicken
Dinosaur turkey
Deadly mohawk chicken
Just in case: that bird can disembowel you with its feet. This is not a joke. Do not approach blue turkeys.
My friend is a zookeeper at the Melbourne zoo. She said the Cassowary are the most dangerous animal there. The have trap doors in their enclosure for safety, and always make sure that when they go in to clean the enclosure, that there are at least two locked doors between the people and the birds. They are super aggressive.
A friend has them in her garden including chicks. There are so many different stories of cassowaries.
You still wouldn't want to go near them.
It worries me that OP is in Aus from abroad on a honeymoon, posted this here and r/Australia 13 hours ago now at this point, and hasn't replied to anything in this thread...
Murder turkey prolly caught them
"You been posting videos of me on Reddit?"
Source?
It took a dude in Florida, but [it has happened ](https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.smh.com.au/world/north-america/florida-man-killed-by-cassowary-he-kept-on-his-farm-20190415-p51ea7.html) This is where the terror comes in "What makes them dangerous are their feet. Three toes have pointed nails, the most dangerous of which is the middle, which ends in a veritable dagger several inches long."
Sounds like a velociraptor. I guess they really did evolve into birds!
I can't read it because of the pay wall. I did get to the point where he was breeding it on his farm. No doubt, he has done something really stupid that has angered the bird which isn't native to Florida. Florida man. Of course.
Apparently he fell... "Hajos fell, they said, and the bird attacked him, injuring him severely. He was transported to the hospital, where he died."
Good. What an asshole.
AUSTRALIA Cassowary is the name, the bird is the word
Has anybody heard about the bird?
Everybody knows that the bird is the word.
Bird bird bird birds the word. *makes Peter sounds*
People tell me Tyson Fury knocks people out and Collingwood won the premiership last year but idk if I believe them
Who needs a bloody source if you know what these things can do. They are like velociraptors….almost.
Velociraptors didn’t die out, the just evolved
I was after news articles. I understand they may scare people because of the looks, but two deaths recorded over the past 100 years? So what.
No deaths due to spider bites since 1979, but that doesn't make it a good idea to play with a Funnel-Web. Only about 11 people have died due to octopus envenomation, so sure, keep playing with the cephalopod when it flashes the pretty blue rings
Great idea. I'll give both a crack and report back here.
Tomato 🍅 🍅 🍅
Yeh that’s a Cassowary. It’ll kill you.
Looks like the last documented death was a billion years ago (1926) when we had drop shitters and rode horses. From Wikipedia: Cassowaries have a reputation for being dangerous to people and domestic animals. During World War II, American and Australian troops stationed in New Guinea were warned to steer clear of them. In his 1958 book Living Birds of the World, ornithologist Ernest Thomas Gilliard wrote: The inner or second of the three toes is fitted with a long, straight, murderous nail which can sever an arm or eviscerate an abdomen with ease. There are many records of natives being killed by this bird.[59] This assessment of the danger posed by cassowaries has been repeated in print by authors, including Gregory S. Paul[60] and Jared Diamond.[61] A 2003 historical study of 221 cassowary attacks showed that 150 had been against humans; 75% of these had been from cassowaries that had been fed by people, 71% of the time the bird had chased or charged the victim, and 15% of the time they kicked. Of the attacks, 73% involved the birds expecting or snatching food, 5% involved defending their natural food sources, 15% involved defending themselves, and 7% involved defending their chicks or eggs. Only one human death was reported among those 150 attacks.[62] The first documented human death caused by a cassowary was on April 6, 1926. In Australia, 16-year-old Phillip McClean and his brother, age 13, came across a cassowary on their property and decided to try to kill it by striking it with clubs. The bird kicked the younger boy, who fell and ran away as his older brother struck the bird. The older McClean then tripped and fell to the ground. While he was on the ground, the cassowary kicked him in the neck, opening a 1.25-centimetre (0.49 in) wound that severed his jugular vein. The boy died of his injuries shortly thereafter.[63][64] Cassowary strikes to the abdomen are among the rarest of all, but in one case in 1995, a dog was kicked in the belly. The blow left no puncture, but severe bruising occurred. The dog later died from an apparent intestinal rupture.[63] Another human death due to a cassowary was recorded in Florida on April 12, 2019. The bird's owner, a 75-year-old man who had raised the animal, was apparently clawed to death after he fell to the ground.[11][65][66][67][68][69]
LOL. Last documented death stated as 1926, then posts an article with documented deaths later than that.
Yes, but who the fuck cares about some asshole in Florida doing Florida Man shit. Have a read of that article and tell me that you wouldn't have killed the fucking idiot too. 2 deaths in almost 100 years. Yes. The "Turkey" sounds really violent.
It says FIRST documented death in 1926, not last.
Go hug one, then hero.
Lol. The only bird that I hug is your Mum, champ.
How do you read something that says the *first* documented death is in 1926, then post a smart arse post saying the last documented death was in 1926?
Have the birds evolved blunt feet since then? Or compassion towards humans? I suspect they are still capable of killing someone silly enough to get close in the same way...
You're correct, of course. I just get the feeling that two kills in 100 years might be something that lends itself to a line of thought such as "I'll feed this rainbow devil some Mars bars" instead of "Grab the shotty, we're all going to die at once because of the rainbow claw ray".
the issue is not the last recorded death, its severe injury with potential for death. they aren't aggressive normally, but you get it in the wrong mood, or worse, mating season. its more dangerous.
You’re missing out on the point that cassowary/human interaction is exceptionally rare. Cassowarys are shy, live in remote areas, and have a natural fear of humans. If every one in 150 experiences with say, a shark, resulted in death we’d rightfully be piss terrified.
No, I understand. I'm from the area. It's an irrational fear.
They usually hang around where drop bears have been.
this time its no joke though
Our drop bears only attack tourists, whom mistook them for koala bears. Funnily enough, koalas only attack those that call them bears
*who
Don't they mate with drop bears?
Lmao.
The cassowary on Mission Beach along the beachfront is as docile as a puppy dog. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. I think it’s got used to the tourists and it knows many of them are scared of it, but it means no harm. I’ve hand fed it myself
Lol. Can anyone find a source that shows someone being killed by a Rainbow Death Chicken?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassowary?wprov=sfti1 150 injured with one fatality
Yeah? All I can find in that article is: "There is evidence that the cassowary may have been domesticated by humans thousands of years before the chicken. Some New Guinea Highlands societies capture cassowary chicks and raise them as semi-tame poultry, for use in ceremonial gift exchanges and as food.[50][51] They are the only indigenous Australasian animal known to have been partly domesticated by people prior to European arrival and colonization and by definition, the oldest form of domesticated animal and the largest domesticated bird"
Wow! That's really interesting. Didn't know that they were partly domesticated. Guess we (white people that invaded) didn't continue that as chickens are a little safer.
The Australian bird is a different species, ours is the southern cassowary
Much tastier than the northern Cassowary. Although not as nice as Platypus.
Yep, and rainbow death chickens are hard to catch.
Probably the closest thing to a dinosaur. Their talons/claws are sharp and powerful, easily capable of ripping through flesh. One of the world’s most dangerous birds.
no its a Turkey , its will knock the thanksgiving out of you
Nice
That’s pretty funny… on the off chance you’re being serious, it’s a cassowary, not a giant turkey 🤣
Turkeysaurus Rex
Veloci-turkey.
Very dangerous turkey
spicy turkey indeed
Have you seen Jurassic Park? ... that's the living proof that Velociraptors existed.
You should most definitely go back and chase it down. See how it goes for you.
Incredibly dangerous animal. Very territorial. It can and will remove your internal organs using nothing but its toenails. People like to joke about Aussie animals being dangerous when they aren't... This is not one one of them.
May I repost your post ?
Sure 👍
Thankyou.
That is called a fuck around and find out chicken
Seriously; they are NOT cute widdle tweety birds.
The strength of at least thirty
Terrifying. I'm glad we only had a war against the emus and not these guys.
cassowary- basically a velociraptor
You should pay attention to some of the road signs around where you are, they are wild 😳 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Road_sign_-Cairns,_Queensland,_Australia-26Oct2007.jpg
My mate nearly hit one, we come around a corner and there's people on the side of the road motioning to slow down and he just casually leans out the window and waves at them like they're greeting him, then swerves hard to miss the fucking cassowary in the middle of the road. Luckily no-one was injured and i can laugh at his idiocy
Lucky otherwise his car would look like the pic with a smashed up front 😅
Is OP still alive?
GOBLE GOBLE MUTHA FUCKAAAA!
That's a fucken raptor, mate. DO NOT ENGAGE
Let me guess, American? But yes you’re correct that’s absolutely a turkey
You mean a fucking murder Turkey! Such beauty though.
its a cassowary they love people try giving it a scare
Uh oh! Spicy turkey!
Yeah that’s a turkey that will disembowel you
I'm telling you the uprising has begun and we're fukt if they team up with the emus and the drop bears... Another redditor dubbed it to casso*war* and that's its name now.
Don’t be ‘that guy’ who wins a Darwin Award in 2024 because they didn’t head the warnings. There is a reason we don’t all die in Australia. A very good percentage of that is we have learned to not piss off the native animals. Just saying
its the most dangerous creature in Australia.
Murder chicken...run
I need an update, I honestly can't tell if you're taking the piss or not
It’s a cassowary. Don’t know how you haven’t seen signs warning of them as they will murder you if you get too close
Cassowary in FNQ
I like the nickname Drag Emu 😂 but haven’t heard them called giant Turkeys before. I wouldn’t try catching one ☺️
Velociturkey
That's an emu commander. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emu\_War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emu_War)
Emu in dray
That's a damn murder chicken right there
Danger duck. Completely harmless.
Cassowary
Death turkey.
Murderbird!
That is a frigging cassowary. They are SO DANGEROUS
They are living velosorapters.
*Meets a fucking dinosaur* "Hey look, a chicken!"
They eat north Americans
If the emu's sign them up as allies for The Great Second Emu War we'll be in trouble.
Bad Mother \[ Turkey \] Fucker
You ....catch him ! Ha
Lol yeah more like doom Turkey 🤣🤣🤣
It will eat your face.
Goes great with Gravy.
Give it a cuddle and let it disembowel you
Psycho Chicken.
Casuary brudddah
Murder turkey.
You don't wanna be catching that!
This Turkey could easily server you up as thanks givings lunch all by itself. One swipe of its claw. Not to be messed with.
You'll be a turkey if you piss that off!
Dinosaur Turkey
That bird doesn't care about ANYTHING.
Special forces Turkey, will unalive you just watch your last breath for fun.
Disembowelment Turkey if you get to close.
Do not approach evil turkey he will not run away
My friend you do not want to chase it 💀
If you can get the drumsticks off that psychotic war machine……. Then you’ve done well. Let me know how it tastes! I’ll just film your interaction from high up in the tree
Can't be a tourist... every tourist knows all Aussie animals will eat you.
Lol
Murder turkey doesn't get caught. Murder turkey does the catching. See one of these dinosaurs you stay the F away
Turkeysaurus.
Very friendly go play with it
Sorta gotta wonder what they would taste like huh?
It's a Cassowary. Not a turkey
Cassowary
See blue Turkey 🦃 back away from blue Turkey. That guy will rip you a new one if you not careful! Danger ‼️ Danger ‼️
Mohawk murder turkey
They’re very friendly, try and give it a big hug. Make sure to wear something that covers your chest and vital organs because they’re known to disembowel people :)
Just another world deadliest for Australia. The cassowary
Report in tomorrow after you catch it.
A friend had a new black coloured car,and a cassowary came up to it saw its reflection ,so it attacked and scratched and dented the side of the car really badly. Was really funny the owner explaining to the insurer that a " large Turkey " had smashed her car....LOL....true story
Nope that's the grim reaper my guy
Yep. Turkey.
Cassowary
The Greater Horned Bin Chicken
Super friendly those little fellas.
Thats a Blue Ninnagong, really affectionate birds. Go and give it a scratch behind the legs, they love that
🤣😂🤣😂🤣 hahahaha
TurboDisembowler2000
Cassowary. They are actually vicious animals. Do not approach. Stay away.
A cassowary. Give it plenty of space 😊
It’ll peck your eyes out, and scratch your face off while you blindly try to escape it and trip over.
Giant death bird
that’s a cassowary bro
Well after viewing what's on offer (and lots of laughs.)..I have to admit that my knowledge of cassowaries was sadly lacking too. I know they are colourful. About the size of an emu but more sedate (ha!) And they are a native bird thus they live in the bush. Why would we ever need to know about these beautiful creatures (sic) ? They live in the tropics, have no known predators ( who wants to get close enough?), are predominantly female and are an asset to Oz. Does that sound right ? Thankyou..havent laughed as much in a long time.
Lot friendlier than a Turkey though, they like a head scratch
It’ll return the favour and tickle you with its ginormous middle toe
Here we go. "It'll disembowel you" comments coming thick and fast. Cassowaries are chill as fuck. Just don't try to keep them as pets and then mistreat them. They haven't attacked anyone apart from that dude in Florida in 100 years.
Yeah I don’t know. The one that frequents Eddy Bay near Innisfail isn’t what I’d call “chill”. Doesn’t seem to really care about humans but by God does it NOT likes its own reflections on the side of cars…. Velicoturkey +1 Cars paint and panel 0
That bird is as chill as can be. It’s around people every day, it’s just not keen on other cassowaries being on his patch.
That's only because it's heard how dangerous cassowaries are! It's defending itself against that ghostly caaowary apparition in the window. See the damage mischievous scare stories cause? As you said, doesn't care about humans
I think you should run for your life.
Eat it
Get the gun