“Living dinosaurs” – Australia wants to better protect the “most dangerous bird”.

The Australian government wants to do more with new measures to protect one of the country’s most special and rare birds: the helmeted cassowary (Casuarius casuarius). The large flightless birds, also called “living dinosaurs”, have been on Earth for millions of years.

Today they only live in the state of Queensland and Papua New Guinea. In the meantime, however, their survival is threatened not only by the loss of their habitat, but also by road traffic and dog attacks, Australian broadcaster ABC reported on Wednesday.

Among other things, the surface of the existing protection areas for birds must be significantly increased in 2031, according to the government plan, which was drawn up with the help of animal protection organizations. The government also wants to buy land for this purpose. Recommended measures also include information campaigns for dog owners and better signage to warn drivers of helmeted cassowaries.

Meanwhile, surveys should be used to determine how many copies there are at all. According to ABC, experts for Australia assume a population of up to 5,000 animals.

The birds, also called southern cassowaries, can weigh about 70 kilograms. Striking are their partly bright blue-red skin on the neck, the helmet-like horny tissue on the head and the glittering black feathers. The ratites can reach speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour with their powerful legs. They can use their sharp claws as a dangerous weapon – which is why they are sometimes referred to as “the most dangerous birds”.

According to experts, the animals also play an important role in preserving the biodiversity of rainforest trees. Because the birds are among the few frugivorous animals that can spread large fruits over a large area.

“Cassowaries are believed to have evolved about 60 million years ago and share some features with dinosaurs, including their three-toed feet with dagger-like claws and respiratory system,” the Queensland Department of the Environment wrote in 2019, captioning: “Cassowaries – ancient, beautiful and dangerous» (sda/dpa)