Cassowary Badge (2021)

In 2021 our badge featured the Southern Cassowary (also known as the Dinosaur Bird)  in recognition of the UN Year of Fruits & Vegetables. This large, flightless bird was chosen as the featured species as it has a diet based almost exclusively on fruit and is listed as Endangered despite the fact it plays a key role. The  Southern Cassowary lives in the rainforests of North East Queensland and is considered a Keystone Species (playing a key role in the ecosystem) because it eats the fallen fruit of many rainforest species and distributes the seeds across the forest floor. The germination rate of seeds from some rare Australian rainforest trees have a hugely increased germination rate after passing through the cassowary’s gut.

This species needs help.  What can you do to help protect the Cassowary?

Our special thanks to Zion Levy Stewart for the use of this beautiful image. For more artwork by Zion, go to www.zionart.com.au 

Artwork © Zion Levy Stewart  www.zionart.com.au