Cassowaries are large, dangerous flightless birds whose welfare is threatened by habitat loss, vehicle strikes, and human feeding that alters their behavior in ways that ultimately harm them.
Cassowary welfare is primarily threatened by two human behaviors: vehicle traffic on roads through their habitat, and intentional feeding by tourists and residents. Vehicle strikes cause traumatic death and injury — the Wet Tropics is one of the few places where wild cassowaries occur near roads with significant traffic. Feeding causes habituation to humans, reducing natural wariness and bringing birds into increasingly close contact with vehicles and dogs. Human feeding also disrupts natural dietary diversity and territorial behavior. Conservation efforts focus on road warning signs with speed cameras, vegetation management to maintain sightlines, and public education against feeding. Dog attacks are a significant welfare threat in areas where birds enter residential areas seeking supplementary food.