The northern cassowary
Casuarius unappendiculatus
The line of animals in the middle of the second exhibition hall is led by an impressive flightless bird that stands out with its horn crest and colourful neck. The northern cassowary has a body height of 1.60 m and, at up to 85 kg, is one of the heaviest living birds on earth. Like all ratites, it is flightless.
The cassowary’s feet have a very powerful design. Of the three toes, the inner one has a 10 cm (4 inch) long, dagger-shaped defence claw. This claw can also be dangerous for humans. The northern cassowary lives in the coastal rainforests of New Guinea. Like many rainforest animals, the population is endangered. It is estimated that there are between 9,000 and 10,000 animals. The causes of the population decline are logging and traditional hunting by locals.
