Hi All
Having just been to Mission Beach and inspected the damage the forest it
is clear to see that the cassowary population here is suffering. After
speaking with a C4 group member they have now lost 10 cassowaries since
the cyclone, all youngsters. Population recruitment is low and the
outlook is not good. Without going into politics, current management of
the situation appears poor. Where are all these legit feeding stations?
Cassowaries can be seen searching for food in open grasslands and are
being fed out of sympathy by residents. Seeing 3 cassowaries in one yard
is bizarre enough and with the breeding season approaching territories
will start to have further impacts. People have been advised not to feed
birds, and the arguement against feeding is a flimsy one as the
fragmented forests here leave the birds with no real option to move to
better conditions. When the situation arises from an attack because of
hand fed birds the poo will hit the fan and who will take the blame?
Groups are restricted in taking action because of the endangered status
listing of the bird so it seems a poor diet from unaware residents and
poor action from the government is about all these cassowaries are going
to get. The reduced gene pool of the area must soon have a real impact
on population sustainability if it hasn't already. The population
continues to shrink.
Regards
Dan Blunt
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www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
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