Cassowaries are large, flightless birds of northern Australia and New Guinea facing habitat loss and vehicle strikes. Their welfare in conflict situations and wildlife management raises distinctive issues.
Cassowaries struck by vehicles on Queensland roads sustain severe trauma — their large size means collisions are rarely survivable. Cassowaries that survive initial strikes die slowly from internal injuries without rapid veterinary intervention. Dog attacks on cassowaries cause injuries from biting and slashing — the cassowaries defensive kicks can cause fatal injury to dogs, creating dangerous situations for both animals. Cassowaries fed by residents become habituated, approaching roads and residential areas where conflict risk is highest. Wildlife management involving capture and translocation causes significant stress to animals unaccustomed to handling. Cassowary corridors — habitat connections between rainforest fragments — directly improve welfare by reducing road crossing frequency.