The southern cassowary is often called the world’s most dangerous bird. Now, the rare and elusive animal, native to New Guinea and northern Australia, has found a new home: a Gloucestershire bird park.
After trying to hatch a chick for more than 25 years, Birdland in Bourton-on-the-Water confirmed at the weekend that it had finally been successful.
Alistair Keen, a keeper at the wildlife park, said: “When we caught our first glimpse of the tiny chick it was a very special moment indeed.
Once grown the cassowary has a far more formidable appearance and requires careful handling by keepers
“Cassowaries have a reputation as one of the world’s most dangerous birds and their size, speed and power combined with their dagger-like, 10cm claws mean we have to take looking after them extremely seriously.”
The flightless bird has velociraptor-like talons and can