For the first time in four decades, Southern Cassowaries have been spotted on the tip of the Cape York Peninsula. The group of ten were spotted just three weeks after the area was returned to the Traditional Custodians.
The Southern Cassowary is endemic to Tropical North Queensland and there’s estimated to be around 4,600 left in the wild. However, until recently, none of these birds had been sighted in the northern region of the Cape York Peninsula.
Cape York Natural Resource Management (NRM) set up cameras in the Apudthama National Park (formerly Jardine River National Park) in a joint exercise with the Gudang Yadhaykenu traditional owners. The survey was the first formal Wadthuuny (Gudang Yadhaykenu for Cassoway) survey conducted in the park’s Ussher Point section. The cameras captured 30 images of at least ten cassowaries – four adults, four juveniles and two chicks.
The sightings ruled out the common belief that there were no cassowaries living in the region. The area is not included in many formal distribution maps.
Apudthama National Park (formerly Jardine River National Park) was returned to Traditional Owners earlier this month in a historic ceremony. The land was part of a total of 362,000 hectares of land that was returned to three local indigenous groups.
Feel Great Features
More uplifting stories from around Tropical North Queensland.
-
nature
RUOK DAY: Be nurtured by nature
View post -
accessible
Exploring the tropics with hidden disabilities
View post -
cairns northern beaches
5 inspiring women in local tourism
View post -
cairns northern beaches
Christmas comes early for wildlife and conservation charities
View post -
dive sites
Thousands of turtles filmed off Raine Island in 2022 nesting season
View post -
mission beach cassowary coast
Rescued cassowary chicks return to the wild
View post -
cairns northern beaches
Australia’s first offshore nursery gives birth: Coral spawns on the Great Barrier Reef November 2022
View post -
cape york
Southern Cassowary population found in Cape York for the first time in 40 years
View post -
cairns northern beaches
Whale Shark spotted from semi-sub
View post -
atherton tablelands
Tumoulin becomes Queensland’s newest national park
View post -
Cairns and Northern Beaches
Play your part on a reef citizen science tour
View post -
accessible
Ringo the star visits the reef
View post -
adventure
Dwarf Minke Whale season 2022 in full swing
View post -
great barrier reef
Manta Rays for days at the Frankland Islands
View post -
Cairns and Northern Beaches
Crankworx to crank up Cairns’ mountain biking game
View post -
cassowary spotting
Cassowaries spotted at Skyrail
View post -
cairns northern beaches
Travel points for eco-travel choices put you in the green
View post -
great barrier reef
Reef Volunteers: the underwater heroes leaving the reef greater
View post -
great barrier reef
Mission Beach voted one of the most beautiful villages in the world
View post -
apartments
Who let the dogs in? Crystalbrook Bailey offers dog-friendly stays
View post -
eco certified
This orphaned Striped Possum will melt your heart
View post -
cairns northern beaches
Meet Apollo: Tropical North Queensland’s buffest wallaby
View post -
A “scusi” and a snorkel surprise
View post -
cairns northern beaches
Hydration stations to help boot single use bottles
View post -
great barrier reef
Twin turtle release is a cause for shell-ebration
View post -
cairns northern beaches
Great Barrier Reef Bursts With New Life As Billions Of Coral Babies Are Born
View post -
cairns northern beaches
How does your garden grow?
View post -
atherton tablelands
Going Batty for Little Lucia
View post -
cape york
The Picture of Kindness
View post