Beachgoers at Bingill Bay on Australia’s east coast were shocked on Halloween when an ominous dark figure splashed into the water. Observers initially thought it was a shark fin or possibly a turtle. But when the creature appeared, it turned out to be something completely different: a young cassowary known as the most dangerous bird on Earth.

Cassowaries are known for their prehistoric appearance, size, powerful legs, and clawed claws that can cause serious damage. Flightless birds are quite wary of humans and are unlikely to attack unless provoked.

Meeting the Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) This came as a surprise in the water, as many people had no idea that Cassowaries could swim.

“Cassowaries can swim and will rise into the water to swim from one side of the river to the other, or if they feel threatened by domestic dogs or another cassowary due to a territorial dispute,” wildlife warden Stephen Clough of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service said. (QPWS), it was announced in a press release.

“We don’t know how long this animal was in the water or why it went swimming, but the images are spectacular.”

The bird was swimming about 200 meters (656 feet) from shore, according to reports from Bingil Bay Campground owner Nikita McDowell.

“I ran and waited for the cassowary to come out of the ocean, she must have been exhausted because she was standing in the shade under the tree, her legs shaking for about half an hour,” McDowell said. said.

“It may have entered the ocean off southern Mission Beach and was captured by a rip current or current and carried into Bingill Bay,” he added.

Bingill Bay is located north of Mission Beach in Queensland’s tropical north, and the area is often referred to as the ‘Cassoowary Coast’. The traditional owners of the land Jiru’s land and they say Cassowary gunda. This bird is an important species to Australia’s First Peoples and plays an important role in the reproduction of rainforest trees; Some of these do not germinate until they pass through the digestive system of a large herbivore.

Unfortunately, there are currently only around 4,000 cassowaries left in Queensland and this population is in danger of extinction. Nature Conservation Law 1992.

Birds are at risk from vehicle collisions and dog attacks; Therefore, visitors to the area north of Mission Beach in Queensland’s tropical north are advised to never approach the birds and to give them plenty of space.

“This rare sighting and lucky escape of the cassowary is a reminder that we must do everything we can to protect and preserve the species,” Clough said.

So are Cassowaries really that dangerous? Along with ostriches, it is one of only two bird species known to cause the death of a human through physical attack.

A review of Cassowary attacks published in 2006 Journal of Zoology, He examined 221 observed cassowary attacks, 150 of which were on humans.

A surprising 75 percent of these attacks were the result of people feeding the birds (which they were not advised to do). They used their claws just over 70 percent of the time the birds attacked and only 15 percent of the attacks.

So if you are lucky enough to come face to face with one of these beauties, remember not to approach it or try to feed it. Especially if there are eggs or chickens nearby! Back up slowly and try to put a backpack or other object between you and the bird, advises the Department of Environment and Science.