The rare primordial forest of NE Australian state Queensland's Coral Sea coast is home to the bright-colored southern cassowarie, of which only 1,500 remain. This flightless man-size bird is related to the open country ostrich and emu. Conservation is threatened by global warming intensifying cyclones and drought. Problems with the expanding human habitation, result in the cassowaries killed on the road and by dogs. They require relocation or rehabilitation at Mission Beach, where they are also studied. The males brood and raise the chicks till mating season.
—KGF Vissers