Cassowaries are large flightless birds found in rainforests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia. Habitat loss and road strikes are their primary welfare threats.
Wild cassowary welfare suffers primarily from vehicle strikes on roads through rainforest habitat, dog attacks, and habitat fragmentation that pushes birds into suburban areas. Injured cassowaries face painful deaths or require expensive veterinary intervention. Feeding by humans is a major welfare risk — habituated birds become aggressive, are more likely to be near roads, and develop nutritional imbalances from inappropriate food. Wildlife corridors and reduced speed limits in cassowary zones are effective interventions.