Native Australian bird attacks and kills owner
A large, flightless bird native to Australia and New Guinea has attacked and killed its owner when he fell over.
The Alachua County Fire Rescue Department told the Gainesville Sun that a cassowary killed the man on Friday on his farm near Gainesville, Florida.
Authorities believe the bird used its long claws to attack the man who was breeding the birds, according to state wildlife officials.
“My understanding is that the gentleman was in the vicinity of the bird and at some point fell. When he fell, he was attacked,” Deputy Chief Jeff Taylor told the newspaper.
He said first responders got a call at 10am on Friday and rushed the man to a hospital for trauma care but he died.
The county sheriff’s office identified the victim as Marvin Hajos, 75, and said a death investigation has been opened.
“Initial information indicates that this was a tragic accident for Mr Hajos,” sheriff’s office spokesman Lieutenant Brett Rhodenizer said.
“The cassowary involved remains secured on private property at this time.”
Cassowaries are similar to emus and stand up to 1.8-meters tall and weigh up to 60kg with black body feathers and distinctive, bright blue heads and necks.
The San Diego Zoo’s website calls the cassowary the world’s most dangerous bird with a 10cm, dagger-like claw on each foot.
“The cassowary can slice open any predator or potential threat with a single swift kick. Powerful legs help the cassowary run up to 50km/h through the dense forest underbrush,” the website says.
Cassowaries are eaten in parts of New Guinea. The birds are not raised for food in the US, but are sought after by collectors of exotic birds, according to authorities.
To obtain a mandatory permit, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission requires cassowary owners to have “substantial experience” and meet specific cage requirements, spokeswoman Karen Parker said.
She said the commission lists the cassowary as a type of wildlife that can “pose a danger to people”.
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