Secrets and ancient legends of the Australian cassowary

The ancient origin story of the cassowary

Djiru Traditional Owner Leonard Andy shares the ancient story of a selfish man who was transformed into the cassowary.

The Indigenous Legend of Goondoye

Peter Trott demonstrates how cassowaries gulp massive plums down their throats in one comical gulp.

How Cassowaries Swallow Giant Fruit Whole

Cassowaries have walked the Earth for 30 million years

Cassowaries have survived for 30 million years with dinosaur-like feet and play an indispensable keystone role spreading the seeds of dozens of rainforest tree species.

Why Cassowaries Are Living Dinosaurs

Feeding wild cassowaries strips away their natural fear of humans and roads, leading directly to fatal vehicle collisions.

Why Feeding Wild Cassowaries Is Deadly

Restoring rainforests with cassowary scat

Conservationists explain how collecting cassowary scats provides native seeds that are germinated in nurseries to replant essential food trees across cleared land.

Growing Rainforests From Cassowary Poop

A former agricultural plot that once blocked cassowary movements with farm dogs is bought and revegetated into a thriving wildlife corridor.

Transforming Farmland Back into Wildlife Habitat

A conservationist explains the wait-a-while vine, showing its backward-pointing barbs that snag hikers and climb canopy trees.

Why the Wait-a-While Plant Earned Its Name

A wildlife volunteer shares the rescue stories of injured cassowary chicks recovering together at a dedicated rehabilitation center.

Rehabilitating Injured Cassowary Chicks

They bought the land to save the cassowaries.

Locals joined forces with environmental groups and raised funds to buy back crucial land, permanently protecting endangered cassowary habitat from suburban clearing.

How a Community Saved Cassowary Habitat

Do not do nothing just because you can only do a little.

A conservationist shares an inspiring quote on why doing even a small part for wildlife creates collective change.

The Biggest Mistake in Conservation

[00:05] The Indigenous Legend of Goondoye
[03:58] How Cassowaries Swallow Giant Fruit Whole
[07:39] Why Cassowaries Are Living Dinosaurs
[12:38] Why Feeding Wild Cassowaries Is Deadly
[15:22] Growing Rainforests From Cassowary Poop
[19:59] Transforming Farmland Back into Wildlife Habitat
[22:28] Why the Wait-a-While Plant Earned Its Name
[25:19] Rehabilitating Injured Cassowary Chicks
[30:43] How a Community Saved Cassowary Habitat
[37:49] The Biggest Mistake in Conservation

Secrets and ancient legends of the Australian cassowary

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